International Workers’ Day comes at a time when the situation for Palestinian workers in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) and in particular Gaza is catastrophic. Workers in Gaza continue to be deprived of job opportunities and suitable, regular, and secure jobs as a result of Israel’s crippling closure and blockade. Living conditions continue to deteriorate at a rapid rate as Palestinians’ fundamental rights are undermined. This deterioration has accelerated since the Palestinian government in Ramallah imposed penalties, such as lowering expenditures and cutting salaries, in a bid to pressure the de facto authorities in Gaza. A dual tax system has further diminished the weak prospects of economic recovery.

Various industries have been particularly affected by restrictions on movement of individuals and goods as well as by the decreasing levels of purchase power and cash flow. The rate and scale of job creation is far exceeded by the number of university graduates and working age individuals. The rates of poverty and unemployment have continued to rise; in 2018, according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, unemployment rose to 52%, with 78% of those with an associate degree unemployed. Labor market data by the Ministry of Labor shows that 305,311 Palestinians in Gaza have no work.

In this context, high unemployment allowed for exploitative practices that involve infringement on workers’ rights to, inter alia, health and safety, and minimum wage. Many work environments are characterized by occupational hazards and involve risks to the health and life of workers. Amid the absence of safe conditions, many workers continue to endure injuries while on the job. In parallel, 80% of those working in the private sector, Gaza’s main job market, do not receive just compensation and are paid sums lower than the national minimum wage of approximately $400 per month. Also, the gender disparity in the labor market continues to widen, with male labor participation exceeding female participation by around four times. The implementation of a social protection law has been hindered, threatening the economic dignity of the sick and the elderly.

While celebrating the significant contributions and great sacrifices of laborers, Al Mezan calls on the Palestinian authorities to introduce strategies conducive to economic recovery and growth and to betterment of working environments and conditions, as well as new policies to expand public expenditure, to improve social protection, and to enable effective inspection and enforcement of suitable working environments and conditions. Al Mezan calls on employers to take additional measures to ensure employees are paid their due compensation, can enjoy job security and decent pensions in exchange for reasonable work schedules, and are overall able to afford life in safety and dignity with their families and dependents.

Al Mezan calls on the international community to take immediate action to end the Israeli closure and blockade of Gaza, to protect freedom of movement and trade, and to provide urgent assistance to revitalize the Palestinian economy through job creation for those in great numbers who are unemployed, especially in the Gaza Strip. Al Mezan stresses that the international community must honor its moral and legal obligations towards the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip. The situation of human rights and living conditions are well below any acceptable measure, as a result of the collective failure to end the closure and blockade for 11 consecutive years, a failure central to the perpetuation of tremendous civilian suffering.