The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development has arranged a round-table discussion with the Minister of Labor Mr. Ahmed Madjalani, the chief of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics Mrs. Ola Awad, and the general secretary of the Labor Syndicates Union Mr. Shaher Saed, as well as many representatives of feminist, youth organizations, committees and workers from different sectors. The discussion focused on the importance of approving a minimum wage, which goes along with the increasing living costs, and everyday life necessities.
The general director of the PWWSD, Mrs. Amal Khreishe said that the Ministry of Labor has to confine a minimum rate for wages, in accordance to the Palestinian Labor Law No.7. However, the issue hasn’t yet been addressed. Mrs. Khreishe indicated that the Arab revolutions which advocate the concepts of democracy and social rights, are intrinsically and necessarily connected to the essential human rights, like the right of decent work and social protection. Therefore, taking into consideration the exceptional Palestinian conditions, enforced by the Israeli Occupation, it is crucial to set a minimum rate for wages, which validates the workers' human rights, and affirms the national attempts to empower the human resources in order to face the Israeli occupation and build an independent Palestinian State.
On his part, Dr. Ahmed Madjalani spoke of the ministry's attempts to promote the habit of social dialogue on a large scale, for this fosters domestic peace, and helps achieve economic growth and strengthens the social and national fabrics. The minister sees in issuing a minimum wage, a chance to provide new job opportunities, decent and in agreement with the increasing living costs.
Mr. Majdalani explained the standards which must be recognized when setting a minimum wage. These must fulfill the workers' needs, and correspond to the general rate of wages, the living costs, and the several deductions for the health insurance, the economic factors, the development requirements and the unskilled workers' standard of living, adding that the minimum wage will include the marginalized and vulnerable population.
The chief of the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics Mrs. Ola Awad, presented an overview of the workers' conditions in the OPT, the economic conditions, unemployment and the minimum wage, clarifying that unemployment rateshave increased incredibly.
It is importance to say that the poverty line, according to statistical studies is 2196 NIS, while the line for extreme poverty is 1200 NIS. The participants insisted on establishing a committee which will supervise setting a minimum wage, and help achieve the workers' demands in the different sectors.
O n his part, Mr. Shaher Saed, stated that the union is committed to make consistent efforts in order to confine a minimum wage, through social dialogues and a just fight to fulfill workers' rights. He hinted that the legislations concerning workers can not be activated without introducing a minimum wage. He also mentioned that the union has issued a petition that demands a fixed minimum rate for wages. The petition was signed by over 100 thousand workers, which Saed considered an essential effort to support workers and combat poverty and unemployment.
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