Statement Issued by the General Federation of Palestinian Trade Unions
On the Occasion of 1 May – International Workers’ Day
Friday, 1 May 2026
Workers of Palestine, steadfast people of our nation,
International Workers’ Day, 1 May, comes this year amid exceptional and extremely harsh circumstances affecting our national cause. The Palestinian working class is experiencing one of its most severe and difficult phases ever, as a result of the dangerous overlap between the political, economic, and social crises.
The number of unemployed workers has reached approximately 550,000, with unemployment rates rising to unprecedented levels—85% in the Gaza Strip and 38% in the West Bank. This reflects the magnitude of the catastrophe striking the Palestinian labor market and undermining the foundations of a dignified life for our workers.
Since 7 October 2023, more than 250,000 Palestinian workers have been denied access to their workplaces inside the occupied territories. This situation has persisted for over thirty months without any source of income, leading to the depletion of their savings and forcing many to sell their possessions in order to meet the basic needs of their families.
We hold the Israeli government fully responsible for this suffering and demand that it comply with international law by compensating Palestinian workers for their losses, paying their outstanding wages and entitlements, and immediately reinstating them to their workplaces.
Violations have extended beyond denial of work to include killing, arrest, humiliation, and abuse. More than 50 workers have been killed, and over 38,000 workers have been detained, amid systematic practices that violate the most basic human and labor rights.
Despite the efforts of international trade union federations—including ITUC, BWI, ITF, EI, IndustriALL, PSI, and IUF—and the submission of official complaints to the International Labour Organization, the Israeli government continues to refuse engagement, in blatant disregard of international law.
In Palestine, nearly 90% of workers lack social protection systems, thousands face violations of their rights, minimum wage and legal working hours are not observed, and end-of-service benefits are denied. Economic slowdown, declining job opportunities, expansion of the informal economy, and rising living costs have eroded wages and widened social inequality.
Our Position on 1 May
In light of the exceptional suffering faced by Palestinian workers, all activities marking International Workers’ Day 2026 are cancelled. This day shall serve to reaffirm workers’ rights rather than to celebrate.
Our Demands to the Palestinian Government
- Amend the Palestinian Labor Law in line with International Labour Organization standards.
- Adopt a comprehensive social protection law for workers.
- Enact a fair and inclusive social security law.
- Link wages to the rising cost of living.
- Establish specialized labor courts to ensure workers’ justice.
- Exempt workers from health insurance debts and provide free coverage for the unemployed.
- Suspend imprisonment orders against indebted and unemployed workers.
Concluding Message
The State of Palestine’s observer status at the International Labour Organization is a significant national achievement that reinforces the responsibility to develop just economic and social policies, guarantee social protection, and uphold decent work and social justice.
Long live the First of May. Long live the struggle of the Palestinian people. Long live the Palestine Liberation Organization, the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
