Ambassador's Statement Before ILC on
The Situation Of Workers Of the Occupied and Arab Territories
Ambassador Ali Bahraini Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to UN office in Geneva delivered the following statement
before the 112th Session of the International Labour Conference discussing the report on the Director General of the International Labour
Organization on the the situation of workers of the occupied Arab territories particularly in Palestine.
Statement
By
Ambassador Ali Bahreini
Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran
To the United Nations Office in Geneva
Before
112th Session of the International Labour Conference,
Agenda item:
DG report on the situation of workers of the occupied Arab territories
Geneva, 6 June 2024
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
Thank you, Mr. Chairman,
At the outset let me thank the Director General and the office for preparing the report under this agenda item, which presents a picture of deteriorating Palestinian economy and its impact on employment, social welfare and sustainable livelihoods resulting from occupation.
Distinguished delegates:
As the DG highlighted in his report social justice and occupation are incompatible. Recent gross violations of international human rights law and humanitarian law, particularly, war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, ethnic cleansing and enforced displacement committed by the occupying regime has devastated effect on the situation of the Palestinian workers.
The failure of the international community in particular the security council to put an end to the illegal occupation and the brutalities perpetrated by the regime imposed over the Palestinian people, is the main reason that we are still at this stage today and that innocent lives continue to be lost.
Since 7 October 2023, Israeli regime started a genocide in Gaza which has brought about unprecedented death and devastation in Gaza. As stipulated in the report, prior to the war, Gaza did not have many jobs to offer. Already then, deprivation was dominant. Now, there is little employment left to speak of. The labour market has collapsed, amid widespread destruction, displacement, killing and hunger. Labour rights have been violated. While we are attending in this Conference, the suffering is continuing. The destruction of human and physical capital will have long-lingering effects on workers and employers in Palestine.
While Gaza is in ruins, the West Bank has not been spared either. The ever-deepening occupation and mobility restrictions have caused business closures and widespread unemployment, which has been exacerbated by the loss of Palestinian employment opportunities.
Mr. Chairman
The deteriorated situation of defenseless and innocent workers and employers in Gaza requires urgent attention and action by the ILO. It is expected that the ILO, which mandated by its constitution to protect the rights of workers and employers worldwide, take a strong stance against this human tragedy. As has been stipulated in the report the current crisis has exacerbated pre-existing issues and created new hurdles for labour force in the Occupied Palestine Territory. From widespread job losses to dangerous working conditions, Palestinian workers are facing unprecedented challenges that demand urgent attention and action.
What is expected is for the ILO with all its commitment under its constitution to social justice to raise its voice loudly and amplify the plight of the people of Gaza, especially workers and employers. It should unequivocally condemn these crimes against humanity and egregious human rights violations. The ILO should play its role in enforcing the ICJ ruling to stop the Genocide in Gaza. The ILO must also take tangible supportive actions to address the basic and essential needs of affected workers and employers in Gaza.
I thank you, Chairman.