International Unions Demand Salary Payments for Palestinian Workers in Israel
In a significant move, ten international unions have filed a complaint against Israel with the International Labor Organization (ILO), urging the government to pay the salaries of over 200,000 Palestinian workers who have not received their wages since the onset of the Al-Aqsa Intifada on October 7, 2023. These unions, including the International Trade Union Confederation and Building and Wood Workers International, represent members in 160 countries and emphasize Israel's obligations under the ILO's Protection of Wages Convention.
The unions highlight that the average daily wage for Palestinian workers legally employed in Israel was approximately 297.3 shekels ($80.5) prior to the conflict. However, since the escalation of violence, many workers, particularly those from Gaza, have faced sudden job losses and a halt in salary payments, resulting in substantial financial hardship. Estimates suggest that 13,000 Palestinian workers from Gaza lost their jobs, while those from the occupied West Bank have been barred from entering Israel for nearly a year, leaving their employment contracts technically intact but unbeneficial.
The unions are demanding that the Israeli government ensure that these workers receive their unpaid salaries for September and early October 2023. They accuse Israeli authorities of violating ILO conventions, which mandate regular salary payments during employment and prompt final payments upon contract termination. The complaint to the ILO could lead to an investigation, and potentially sanctions, if the allegations are substantiated.
