Press Release
1,000 Days of Suffering and Destruction for Palestinian Workers
Issued by:
PGFTU – Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions
On the thousandth day of this ongoing catastrophic phase, Palestinian workers stand at one of the harshest and most severe periods in their modern history, as violations continue in a systematic manner and the economic and humanitarian crisis deepens unprecedentedly, amid ongoing occupation policies targeting the Palestinian people and their fundamental right to work and dignified living.
Over (1,000) days, unemployment in Palestine has risen to approximately 570,000 workers out of a total labor force of 1.4 million, reflecting a severe collapse in the Palestinian labor market and the erosion of its basic foundations.
In the same period, 52 “livelihood martyrs” (workers) have been killed while attempting to reach their workplaces or while working, in a scene that reflects the ongoing direct targeting of workers.
Palestinian workers have also suffered devastating economic losses, exceeding $10 billion in total, while monthly losses are estimated at around 1.35 billion shekels, reflecting the accelerating economic collapse affecting the Palestinian working class.
During this period, more than 38,000 arrests of Palestinian workers have been recorded, as part of a systematic policy of restriction, detention, and deprivation of basic human and professional rights.
Data also indicates unprecedented unemployment rates, reaching 80% in the Gaza Strip and 38% in the West Bank, amid a suffocating economic blockade and continuous policies aimed at undermining the Palestinian economy.
The Palestinian economy is also witnessing a rapid, systematic, and comprehensive collapse and restriction, aimed at weakening, subjugating, and depriving it of any capacity for recovery or growth.
As part of these policies, Israeli police continue to shut down establishments employing Palestinian workers and impose fines and penalties on their owners, in direct violation of the right to work and economic freedom, further exacerbating the crisis and deepening the suffering of thousands of Palestinian families.
On the international level, the Federation confirms that the occupation continues to prevent trade union and human rights delegations from entering Palestine, including:
- For the third consecutive year, preventing the International Labour Organization’s Fact-Finding Mission from entering Palestine.
- Preventing a delegation from the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI).
- As well as blocking a delegation of Greek trade union leaders from entering Palestine.
The Federation affirms that these measures are a deliberate attempt to conceal the truth and prevent documentation of the violations committed against Palestinian workers, and to hide the reality from trade unions, international organizations, and global public opinion.
Demands of PGFTU – Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions:
- Full and fair compensation for Palestinian workers for all economic and livelihood losses.
- Serious international pressure to reinstate workers in their workplaces and guarantee their professional rights.
- An end to all policies and measures targeting Palestinian workers and depriving them of their right to decent work.
- Immediate international intervention to stop ongoing violations against the Palestinian working class.
The Federation holds the responsible parties fully accountable for the severe deterioration in workers’ conditions, and renews its call on the international community to assume its legal and moral responsibilities regarding the systematic and ongoing violations faced by Palestinian workers.
