Trade Unions call for 15 Minutes global strike for Palestinian workers, on October 7, 2024

RAMALLAH: President of the Arab Trade Union Confederation and Secretary-General of Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions, Shaher Saed. stated that Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU), in partnership with the Arab Trade Union Confederation (ATUC), has issued a call to international and Arab organizations and unions to join the solidarity campaign for the global workers' strike on October 7, 2024. This date marks the World Day for Decent Work, a day when unions reaffirm one of their most important principles: defending the rights of workers without discrimination. In a statement released on Wednesday, Saad urged workers worldwide to pause work for 15 minutes at 12:00 PM (Jerusalem time) on Monday, October 7, as a symbolic act of solidarity to highlight the ongoing struggles of the Palestinian workers and people. This global action aims to remind the international community of the relentless hardships faced by Palestinians under occupation, and to reaffirm the labor movement's commitme nt to supporting the rights of all people to freedom, self-determination and dignity. This day also marks a year since the Israel occupation escalated its oppressive measures, depriving Palestinian workers of their right to work and subjecting the entire population to systematic violations of human rights, including the right to a decent livelihood. Saad highlighted that the war against the Palestinian people has resulted in over 40,000 casualties and 100,000 injuries, half of whom are children and women. The conflict has pushed the poverty rate to 55%, caused economic losses estimated at $2.3 billion and reduced the workforce at Palestinian institutions by more than 65%. Additionally, 500 thousand workers have lost their jobs, leading to an unemployment rate of 51% amid soaring living costs, with prices of goods increasing by 600%. The financial toll is further exacerbated by the 450 million monthly loss in wages due to the deprivation of Palestinian workers' rights. Meanwhile, Secretary-General of ATUC , Hind Ben Ammar, affirmed that the confederation has prepared an appeal in four global languages - Arabic, English, French and Spanish - and is working timelessly to disseminate the call of Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions worldwide. The confederation is urging workers across the globe to actively and genuinely commit to the strike in solidarity with Palestinian workers, whose lives are at risk when commuting to their workplaces due to ongoing harassment by the occupation forces, including acts of killing, assault and detention. It is worth noting that since the onset of the war against Palestinians, 14 workers have been killed; targeted either at their workplaces; while commuting to work in the West Bank or within the occupied Territory; or during interrogation in Israeli prisons. Source: Palestine news & Information Agency - WAFA