The recent conflict in Gaza has brought to light the mistreatment and exploitation of Palestinian workers in Israel. A coalition of 10 global trade unions has officially filed a complaint against Israel with the International Labour Organization, citing violations of a global treaty. The unions claim that since the war began on October 7, Palestinian workers have been unjustly made redundant, left unpaid, and denied their rightful compensation.
The complaint emphasizes Israel’s exclusion of some 200,000 Palestinian migrant workers on alleged security grounds, leading to significant financial losses for these workers. Stephen Cotton, general secretary of the International Transport Workers’ Federation, stresses the urgency of the situation, calling for immediate payment of owed wages.
With over 207 million workers represented by the trade unions involved, including sectors like catering and agriculture, the complaint highlights Israel’s breach of the 1949 Protection of Wages Convention. The International Labour Organization may convene a committee to investigate these violations, potentially leading to sanctions against Israel.
As the repercussions of the conflict continue to unfold, pressure mounts on Israel to address the plight of Palestinian workers and uphold international legal obligations.