Geneva, 26 October 2011 (ACTRAV INFO)-The ILO’s Regional Director for Arab States, Ms Nada al Nashif presented the strategy framework at an event in Ramallah dedicated to the launch of a national study on “Decent Work in the occupied Palestinian Territory” and hosted by the Palestinian Minister of Labour, Ahmad Majdalani.

In line with the Palestinian Authority’s National Development Plan (2011-2013), the new ILO strategy advocates a decent work approach to state-building, with a particular focus on national employment, social protection, and job creation.

“We think that the decent work strategy largely responds to the Palestinian national development plan for 2011-2013 which also helps in building Palestinian institutions. The ILO can be extremely helpful in its programme for technical cooperation particularly with regard to the social protection floor, job creation, minimum wages, and standards”, explained Mr Walid Hamdan, Desk Officer for the Arab region at the Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ILO-ACTRAV).

According to Mr Hamdan “the role of the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) as an independent and free organization, is crucial in protecting and advancing decent work for workers by promoting social dialogue and ILO principles.”

However, the situation of Palestinian workers remains blocked due to the occupation. “It is difficult for the ILO to improve the situation of Palestinian workers before the end of the occupation of Palestinian territory. But it is important for the ILO to provide assistance to the Palestinian authority, to our partners in Palestine, to help workers to respond to the challenges that they are facing”, added Mr Hamdan.

The ILO’s new decent work strategy for the occupied Palestinian territory (2012-2014) will be launched in early 2012.

For more information, contact:

Walid HAMDAN
Specialist in workers’ activities
Desk Officer for the Arab region at ACTRAV
Tél :+41 22 799 71 48
Email : hamdan[at]ilo[dot]org