Shaher Saad, Secretary-General of the General Federation of Palestinian Trade Unions, presented a report on the situation of Palestinian workers in the labor market to the ILO delegation who visited the region last week to investigate Palestinians’ working conditions.
Saad pointed out before the fact-finding committee that 66% of the work injuries in the “Israeli” labor market are Palestinians, and this is the result of the double-standard treatment by “Israeli” employers which stems from the awareness of racism and degradation of human dignity, including exposing Their personal safety for the risk of fatal injuries, in Israeli workshops and factories due to the lack of providing them with occupational health and safety equipment and tools despite working in dangerous works.
Saad revealed that 48 Palestinian workers in the “Israeli” labor market died during 2019, which was considered a shocking precedent in the history of work in Palestine.
Saad also highlighted that workers are subject to violations to their social rights, foremost of which is the right to obtain health insurance, and remuneration commensurate with their physical and mental effort and to receive a fair end-of-service reward, describing this as a criminal act and a result of not providing the means and requirements of occupational safety and health for workers.
The secretary – general also noted that this matter has become at the forefront of the tragic situation of Palestinian workers in the “Israeli” labor market and has become the main cause of the increase in fatal work injuries. It also stems from the intention of the “Israeli” employers to not to adhere the conditions and means of occupational health and safety in advance.
Saad continued his speech saying: “We accuse them of deliberately and publicly killing our workers, in the day light, without any shame or regret and in utter disregard of all the international treaties and agreements that ensure workers’ rights with regards to their employers. Such factors are what makes us and the rest of the world’s workers see them as murderers and criminals that are deserving of legal prosecution”.
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