Ten global trade unions have lodged a complaint with the International Labour Organization (ILO), accusing Israel of violating international labor standards in its treatment of Palestinian workers since the Gaza war began on October 7. The unions claim that Israel's actions have breached a global treaty concerning labor rights.
The complaint centers on Israel's exclusion of approximately 200,000 Palestinian migrant workers, which Israel attributes to security concerns. The unions are demanding compensation for unpaid wages and other entitlements for Palestinian workers, which could amount to billions of dollars.
“The sudden unemployment of Palestinians working in Israel has left hundreds of thousands in dire conditions,” said Stephen Cotton, general secretary of the International Transport Workers' Federation. “Israel must comply with its international legal obligations and ensure these workers receive their owed wages immediately,” Cotton said.
Israel has cited security threats from Hamas, claiming that the militant group targeted commuter routes used by Palestinian workers during and after the October 7 attacks, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and over 250 hostages taken.
The conflict has also led to significant casualties in Gaza, with over 40,000 Palestinians killed and nearly the entire population of 2.3 million displaced, sparking a severe hunger crisis.
The complaint has been backed by unions representing around 207 million workers from over 160 countries, covering various sectors such as agriculture, industry, and education. Among the unions supporting the complaint are Education International and the Building and Wood Workers' International.
The unions accuse Israel of violating the 1949 Protection of Wages Convention, which Israel has ratified along with about 100 other countries. Under ILO regulations, a tripartite committee comprising representatives from governments, employers, and workers can be established to investigate the alleged violations, potentially leading to sanctions, as seen in past cases like Myanmar.
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