PNA tells Palestinians to quit jobs in colonies
Ramallah says alternative opportunities available but union casts doubt on claims
More than 30,000 Palestinians work in the colonies, mainly in the construction and agriculture sectors, with an average wage of 200 shekels (Dh189) a day.
The Palestinian labour ministry has urged Palestinian workers in Israeli colonies to quit their jobs, especially since EU member states have started labelling colony products.
The Palestinian ministry expressed its strong support for workers quitting jobs in colonies in the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem with immediate effect. According to Nasser Qatami, the ministry’s undersecretary, the number of Palestinian workers in Israeli colonies will come down as the EU decision to label colony products is put in place. “The Palestinians have ... alternatives,” he said.
‘Join Palestinian force’
“There are alternatives to jobs in the Israeli colonies and Palestinian workers can just jump into the field when they are ready to join the Palestinian labour force.”
Qatami said that construction and agriculture industries in the Occupied Territories are now flourishing and those sectors will grow over the next few years.
“The [occupied] Palestinian territories can absorb Palestinian workers [employed in the] colonies. The ministry has finalised plans to accommodate workers who quit jobs at the Israeli colonies,” he said. “The ministry will use its recruitment fund to create job opportunities for workers [quitting their jobs].”
More than 30,000 Palestinians work in the colonies, mainly in the construction and agriculture sectors, with an average wage of 200 shekels (Dh189) a day.
The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) issued a law in April 2010 that made dealing with products from Israeli colonies a crime.
The PNA imports about $4 billion (Dh14.68 billion) worth of products from Israel annually.
The Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions, Workers and Labourers announced that asking workers in Israeli colonies to quit their jobs is not yet possible. “Accommodation is not feasible because the PNA cannot offer alternatives. This is a dream that can not be fulfilled for the time being,” a federation official said.