A complaint against the Israeli government for violations of the International Labour Organization’s Protection of Wages Convention has been filed by a coalition of10 global trade unions, with members in over 160 countries representing 207 million workers.
In a significant action addressing labour rights violations, 10 global trade unions have filed a complaint against the Israeli government, alleging blatant breaches of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Protection of Wages Convention. Representing over 207 million workers across 160 countries, these unions aim to highlight the plight of more than 200,000 Palestinian workers employed in Israel, who have faced severe economic hardship due to unpaid wages and withheld benefits.
The complaint, submitted on September 27, 2024, outlines various abuses suffered by these workers, particularly in the wake of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which led to the suspension of work permits and unilateral contract terminations. The global unions assert that the withholding of wages not only violates labour rights but also exacerbates the economic distress and deprivation of essential services for the affected workers and their families.
The Director of the International Labour Standards Department, Corinne Vargha, received the complaint.
According to the ILO, Palestinian workers employed in Israel under regular work permits typically earned an average daily wage of 297.30 shekels (approximately US$79). For those in the informal economy, weekly wages were estimated to range from 2,100 to 2,600 shekels (US$565 to US$700). Many of these workers have not received wages for work completed prior to the October 7 attack, leaving them unable to recover outstanding payments or settle debts for over a year.
“The withholding of wages is just the latest unjustified indignity faced by Palestinian workers under occupation,” stated Daniel Bertossa, General Secretary of Public Services International (PSI). He emphasized that this situation reflects a broader pattern of collective punishment against the Palestinian people, exacerbated by ongoing military actions.
Distribute backpay
The joint complaint was endorsed by prominent organizations, including the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI), Education International (EI), IndustriALL Global Union, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’ Associations (IUF), Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC), and UNI Global Union.
Luc Triangle, General Secretary of the ITUC, remarked on his recent visit to the West Bank, noting the severe economic destitution faced by families of Palestinian workers. “Through this petition, we want to ensure that much-needed backpay is distributed to workers who are struggling to make ends meet,” he said.
The complaint stresses that international law unequivocally prohibits the suspension of labor rights, even during crises such as war. BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson reinforced this position, asserting that Palestinian workers, particularly those in Israel’s construction sector, deserve to be compensated for their labor. “We will not be satisfied until justice is delivered for the hundreds of thousands of Palestinian workers who have been denied their due,” he stated.
ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton highlighted the historical context of the situation, noting that Israel’s occupation has fragmented the Palestinian economy, leading to an overreliance on the Israeli labor market. He argued that the sudden unemployment of Palestinian workers has plunged hundreds of thousands into destitution and called on Israel to meet its international obligations by ensuring workers receive their owed wages promptly.
Wage theft
Christy Hoffman, General Secretary of UNI Global Union, described the ongoing wage theft as a profound injustice, emphasizing that it highlights the necessity for adherence to international conventions, especially during times of conflict. “The Israeli government’s breach of ILO Convention 95 on the Protection of Wages has placed hundreds of thousands of families on the brink of economic devastation,” she stated.
Education International General Secretary David Edwards expressed solidarity with Palestinian workers, urging Israel to fulfill its international law obligations. He also noted that educators in Gaza and the West Bank have not received their salaries since November 2023 but continue to teach under catastrophic conditions. He called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, secure entry for humanitarian aid, and recognition of Palestinian rights.
IndustriALL General Secretary Atle Høie condemned the withholding of wages as a massive violation of labor rights. “This is why we are joining the ITUC and other global unions in filing this complaint,” he said, emphasizing that such actions cannot be tolerated.
As the complaint progresses, the global labor movement remains committed to advocating for the rights of Palestinian workers. The case underscores the urgent need for accountability and the protection of labor rights in conflict zones, ensuring that workers are not left vulnerable and without recourse during times of crisis. The international community is now called upon to respond to these violations, supporting the rights of workers and pushing for systemic changes to prevent further abuses.
