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In an unprecedented demonstration of solidarity, leaders from eight global union federations, along with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), visited Palestinian unions and political leaders in the West Bank this week. The delegation represented over 200 million workers across various sectors of the economy and thousands of unions.
Christy Hoffman, UNI General Secretary and Chair of the Council of Global Unions, remarked, “This was such a memorable visit, owing to the urgent circumstances in Palestine and the power of our presence. We aimed to demonstrate solidarity with Palestinian unions and to explore how we can best advance the cause of Palestinian statehood as part of a two-state solution in the region. It was a significant effort, which was well appreciated by our hosts. My thanks go to the PGFTU for taking the lead in making the arrangements. It was especially an honor to meet with so many of the Ministers in the new government and with the President himself.” Hoffman was joined by Marcio Monzane, Regional Secretary of UNI Americas, and Ben Richards, Senior Policy Advisor of UNI.
Discussions focused on the harsh realities faced by Palestinian workers. UNI-affiliated unions in Palestine represent workers in finance, graphical, postal, and telecommunications sectors. The difficult conditions for workers under Israeli occupation have been exacerbated by ongoing conflict in Gaza and increasing settler expansion and violence. Approximately one-third of Palestinian workers are unemployed in the West Bank due to Israel’s cut in tax payments to the Palestinian Authority. Public services receive only partial pay or none at all; teachers have not been paid for eight months but continue to volunteer.
