ILO Reaffirms Commitment to Labour Market Recovery in Gaza and West Bank Amid Conflict

Recent data, jointly analyzed by the ILO and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), underscores the severe economic impact of the ongoing conflict.

In a demonstration of the International Labour Organization's (ILO) unwavering commitment to labour market recovery in the aftermath of the war in Gaza and the ongoing conflict in the West Bank, ILO Regional Director for Arab States, Ruba Jaradat, undertook a field visit to the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). The visit included engagements with key national and UN partners and site inspections of ILO emergency employment initiatives designed to alleviate the economic strain on affected workers.

Assessing Emergency Employment Initiatives in Gaza

A key component of Jaradat’s visit was a field assessment of the ILO’s emergency employment schemes in Gaza, implemented through the Palestinian Employment Fund (PEF). These initiatives, part of a broader ILO emergency employment programme across the OPT, provide essential income to displaced and affected workers while contributing to the restoration of public services and damaged infrastructure.

During her visit, Jaradat inspected several critical employment projects, including:

• Al-Sahaba Hospital – Supporting essential maintenance work and medical waste management.
• Gaza Municipality – Overseeing rubble removal, street and sewage cleaning, and infrastructure restoration.
• Humanitarian Aid Warehouse – Evaluating the ILO’s digital employment initiative, which employs system engineers to develop an innovative database for tracking humanitarian aid distribution and inventory management.

"The challenges faced by Palestinian workers in Gaza and the West Bank have never been greater. The destruction of homes, businesses, and essential infrastructure has left countless individuals unemployed and in dire need of support. However, after seeing the impact of our projects firsthand, I am confident that the ILO’s emergency employment initiatives are making a real difference in restoring livelihoods and resilience,” Jaradat stated.

Strengthening Collaboration for Employment and Business Recovery

During her mission, Jaradat engaged with senior Palestinian officials, including Palestinian Minister of Labour Enas Attari in Ramallah. She reaffirmed the ILO’s commitment to prioritizing decent employment in recovery and reconstruction efforts. Additionally, discussions were held with representatives from worker and employer organizations, including:

• Federation of Palestinian Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (FPCCIA) Chairperson Abdo Idris, to address employer support and business recovery.
• Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) Secretary General Shaher Saed, to strengthen labour rights and support trade unions.
• Gaza Chamber of Commerce Chairman Ayed Abu Ramadan, to enhance economic resilience and business sustainability in the region.

Coordination with UN Agencies and Humanitarian Partners

In furtherance of coordinated recovery efforts, the ILO Regional Director held high-level meetings with UN officials, including the Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, and heads of UN agencies operating in the OPT. These discussions focused on integrating decent work and sustainable employment solutions into broader recovery strategies.

"The ILO remains steadfast in its mission to support Palestinian workers and businesses in rebuilding a robust and resilient labour market. Through emergency employment expansion, institutional framework strengthening, and the integration of humanitarian, development, and peace-building approaches, we will continue fostering sustainable economic recovery in the region," Jaradat affirmed.

Labour Market Challenges and Economic Decline

Recent data, jointly analyzed by the ILO and the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), underscores the severe economic impact of the ongoing conflict. As of October 2024:

• The unemployment rate had surged to an average of 51.1% over the preceding 12 months.
• Real GDP experienced a sharp decline of 32.2%, compared to the previous year.

Given the unprecedented devastation inflicted on the Palestinian labour market and economy, the ILO’s efforts are critical in providing immediate relief and laying the foundation for long-term economic stability and job creation in the region.