The Occupational Safety and Health Department at the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions has reaffirmed its firm commitment to defending workers’ right to a safe and healthy work environment, stressing that this right is “fundamental and non-negotiable.” The statement was issued on the occasion of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work.
In a press release, the department noted that this year’s commemoration comes amid escalating challenges facing Palestinian workers, including difficult economic conditions and weak compliance with safety standards in some workplaces, increasing occupational risks and endangering workers’ lives.
According to the statement, 74 workers were killed between January 1 and December 30, 2025. The fatalities included 20 workers inside the Palestinian labor market in the West Bank, one worker killed at sea, 14 workers while attempting to reach or return from their workplaces, and 39 workers inside Israel (1948 territories). Additionally, 18 workers were killed by gunfire or during arrest, pursuit, or raids on their workplaces.
The statement also reported that 47 “livelihood martyrs” have been killed since October 7, 2023, through the end of 2025, highlighting the ongoing risks faced by Palestinian workers across various sectors.
The department emphasized that occupational safety is not optional, but rather a “national, moral, and legal responsibility” that requires collective action.
It called for strict enforcement and monitoring of occupational safety and health standards across all sectors, holding employers fully accountable for providing safe working conditions and necessary protective equipment, strengthening regulatory bodies and inspection mechanisms, and promoting preventive awareness through continuous training programs targeting both workers and employers.
The statement further stressed the importance of aligning national legislation with international standards to ensure broader protection for workers.
The federation concluded by reaffirming its continued trade union struggle to safeguard the dignity and lives of Palestinian workers and to promote decent working conditions, under the slogan:
“Worker safety is the foundation of productivity, and dignity is the title of justice.”
