Working conditions in the OPT – ILO resolution

International Labour Conference

Provisional Record

Ninetieth Session, Geneva, 2002


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Resolution concerning the role of the ILO in addressing the devastating effects of

Israeli occupation and hostilities on the working conditions and the workers of

Palestine and the other occupied Arab territories, submitted by the Government

delegations of Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,

Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia and the

United Arab Emirates; by the following Employers' delegates:

Mr. Abdul-Ghafour (Iraq), Mr. Al Dibs Samer (Syrian Arab Republic),

Mr. Dahlan (Saudi Arabia), Mr. El Gurashi (Sudan);

and by the following Workers' delegates:

Mr. Al-Kuhlani (Yemen), Mr. El Maaytah (Jordan),

Mr. Ghosn (Lebanon), Mr. Ibrahim (Libyan Arab Jamahiriya),

Mr. Issa (Syrian Arab Republic), and Mr. Raay El Fahma (Kuwait)l

The General Conference of the International Labour Organization,

Recalling the clauses of the Constitution of the International Labour Organization that state that "universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon social justice" and that "conditions of labour exist involving such injustice, hardship and privation to large numbers of people as to produce unrest so great that the peace and harmony of the world are imperilled",

Taking into consideration that the Declaration of Philadelphia maintains that "all human beings, irrespective of race, creed or sex, have the right to pursue both their material well-being and their spiritual development in conditions of freedom and dignity, of economic security and equal opportunity",

Recalling the resolution concerning the policy of discrimination, racism and violation of trade union freedoms and rights practised by the Israeli authorities in Palestine and in the other occupied Arab territories, adopted by the International Labour Conference at its 59th Session in 1974, and the resolution concerning the implications of Israeli settlements in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories in connection with the situation of Arab workers, adopted by the International Labour Conference at its 66th Session in 1980,

Denouncing the Israeli Government's failure to adhere to the United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning Palestine and the other occupied Arab territories, in particular resolutions 242, 338, 425, and 1397,

Affirming the need to give effect to the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and to the international labour standards on working conditions, the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation, and the protection of trade union rights in relation to civil liberties, independence and political liberty, in accordance with the resolution adopted by the International Labour Conference at its 54th Session, which invited the Governing Body to extend and expand its efforts to eliminate the discriminatory practices which still exist in several countries, including countries and territories under a colonial regime or foreign domination in any form,

Referring to the resolution concerning the role of the ILO in technical cooperation, adopted in 1999, which states that the ILO must be capable of responding rapidly to emerging problems, whether these arise from economic crisis, natural calamity, conflict or social upheaval,

Expressing its deep concern at the alarming increase in unemployment in Palestine, the increase in the number of people with special needs, the deterioration in economic and social conditions following the repressive practices of the Israeli occupying authorities, in particular the massacres that took place in Jenin camp and in other Palestinian towns and villages in April 2002, the economic blockade, collective sanctions, the destruction of the productive sector and civil infrastructure, the destruction of homes, the razing of agricultural land and civilians having their lives endangered and being exposed to expulsion, impoverishment and unemployment;

1. Requests the Israeli Government to carry out a total and immediate withdrawal from the Palestinian territories and other Arab territories occupied since 1967, in the first place from Al-Quds and from the Syrian Golan and the Lebanese farms of Shebaa, and to dismantle all settlements established in these territories, which represent insurmountable obstacles to the institution of a complete and lasting peace in the Middle East.

2. Invites the Members of the ILO to provide both moral and material support to the tripartite structure in Palestine and in the other occupied Arab territories with a view to mitigating the destructive effects of the Israeli occupation and hostilities.

3. Requests the Governing Body of the International Labour Office and the Director-General to:

(a) draw up and implement urgently a global and integrated technical assistance programme for the social partners in Palestine and in the other occupied Arab territories aimed at promoting job creation, a reduction in poverty and destitution, and the reconstruction and the rehabilitation of the productive, social and trade union institutions;

(b) contribute effectively towards the creation of, in particular, a fund for employment and social welfare and for the care of those with special needs in Palestine and in the other occupied Arab territories;

(c) request the Government and the parties concerned in Israel to release immediately the social security entitlements of Arab workers who are working, or have worked, in Israel;

(d) invite the Israeli Government and employers to compensate Palestinian workers who have been prevented by force from reaching their place of work as a result of the economic blockade, military exactions and checkpoint closures;

(e) set up a standing committee emanating from the Conference to examine the situation of the tripartite structure in Palestine and the other occupied Arab territories, propose the necessary measures and means for their protection, and develop their economic and social capacities,

4. Requests the Governing Body of the International Labour Office and the Director-General to take the necessary measures to give effect to this resolution.

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1 The following Employer representatives: Mr. Belarbi (Morocco), Mr. Bissat (Lebanon), Mr. El Fayhan (Qatar), Mr. El Haroun (Kuwait), Mr, M'Kaissi (Tunisia), and the following Workers' representatives: Mr. Afilal (Morocco) and Mr. Mohammed (Bahrain) were among the authors of the resolution. At the time of receipt of the resolution, their credentials had not reached the Office or they were not accredited as delegates.

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2019-03-12T16:55:04-04:00

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