UNRWA celebrates International Labour Day – Press release

UNRWA celebrates International Labour Day

2 May 2013

West Bank

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the West Bank marked International Labour Day yesterday with a celebration to recognize the work of the Agency’s Job Creation Programme (JCP), which provides temporary job opportunities and creates sustainable projects for thousands of Palestine refugees. 

“This programs needs to be implemented in all parts of the West Bank as it contributes to the development of people’s lives,” said Ikrimaha Rayyan, the head of Beit Duqq Association for Development and one of JCP’s partners.

Addressing attendees at the event, Deputy Director of UNRWA Operations David Hutton spoke about the importance of International Labour Day and the community coming together: “You are reminded on this day that no one is more important than the next person. We can do better together instead of working apart.”

Yousef Taha is one of JCP’s beneficiaries who is also a student at Al-Quds Open University. Speaking about the impact of JCP on his life, he said: “I used the job opportunity provided by JCP to pay my university fees. The work improved my financial and social conditions, and provided me with practical work experience.” 

He added, "I would like to express my thanks to UNRWA for giving me this chance: it has really had a positive impact on my life.”   

Hosted at the Jericho Municipality Theater, the celebration included speeches, Palestinian folk dance, and a football game. The ceremony was attended by local representatives from Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, and Hebron.

UNRWA’s Job Creation Programme ensures a degree of food security and provides temporary job opportunities to the most vulnerable refugees living in the occupied Palestinian territory, with the aim of alleviating high poverty and unemployment levels there.