By Darasimi K.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has reinforced its commitment to labour market recovery and emergency employment initiatives in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). During a recent visit to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, ILO Regional Director for Arab States, Ruba Jaradat, assessed ongoing efforts to support workers affected by the conflict and met with key national and UN partners.
As part of the ILO’s emergency employment programme, Jaradat visited several project sites in Gaza, where initiatives have been providing income support, restoring public services, and rehabilitating critical infrastructure. These efforts, implemented through the Palestinian Employment Fund (PEF), are part of a broader mission to help Palestinian workers regain stability in the wake of the devastation.
During her visit, Jaradat inspected employment initiatives at Al-Sahaba Hospital, where workers are engaged in maintenance and medical waste management, and the Gaza Municipality, where teams are actively involved in rubble removal, sewage system repairs, and infrastructure restoration. She also toured the Humanitarian Aid Warehouse, where the ILO’s digital employment initiative is supporting the recruitment of system engineers working on a database to track humanitarian aid distribution.
“The labour market challenges facing Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza have never seemed as daunting as they are today,” Jaradat stated. “The loss of jobs, businesses, and infrastructure is immense. However, after witnessing first-hand the impact of the ILO’s projects on the ground, I am convinced that we can make a tangible difference. Hearing directly from workers reaffirmed the importance of integrating decent work principles into our emergency employment schemes.”
The ILO has been working closely with Palestinian authorities and international partners to provide critical employment opportunities amid the ongoing conflict. As recovery efforts continue, the organization remains committed to rebuilding livelihoods and fostering a more resilient labour market for Palestinian workers.
