Confirm Minister of Labour Hassan Raddad, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Labor Organization and Chairman of the Arab Group participating in the work of the 114th session of the International Labor Conference currently held in Geneva, Switzerland, said that the Palestinian issue will remain a central issue for the Arab nation and a symbol of the struggle for freedom, justice and human dignity, stressing that defending the rights of workers and the Palestinian people represents a moral, legal and humanitarian responsibility that falls on the shoulders of the entire international community.
This came during the speech he delivered on behalf of the Arab Group at the International Forum in Solidarity with the Workers and People of Palestine and the Other Occupied Arab Territories, which was organized by the Arab Labor Organization in cooperation with International Labor Organization On the sidelines of the 114th session of the International Labor Conference, with the participation of the Director-General of the International Labor Organization, Gilbert Hongbo, and representatives of governments, business owners and workers from various countries of the world, at the invitation of the Director-General of the Arab Labor Organization, Fayez Ali Al-Mutairi.
At the beginning of his speech, the Minister welcomed the participants in the forum, expressing his appreciation to all attendees who, with their participation, embody a position in support of the Palestinian cause and rejecting all forms of oppression and injustice inflicted on the workers and people of Palestine and the occupied Arab territories in the Golan and brotherly Lebanon, stressing the importance of continuing this international movement in support of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
Amending the legal status of the State of Palestine within the International Labor Organization
On behalf of the Arab Group, and on behalf of the government of the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Minister extended his sincere congratulations to the sister State of Palestine on the occasion of the International Labor Conference, at its current session, adopting, with an overwhelming majority of member states, the implementation of the decision issued by the previous session regarding amending the legal status of the State of Palestine within the International Labor Organization and enhancing the rights of its participation in the organization’s meetings, in a way that consolidates its status as an observer state within the organization.
He stressed that this decision reflects the growing international support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, and affirms the deserved status of the State of Palestine within the international labor system. It also embodies a growing recognition of the right of the Palestinian people to represent themselves and defend their issues within international forums concerned with labor, development, and social justice.
The Minister reiterated Egypt’s firm and supportive position on the Palestinian issue and the right of the Palestinian people to achieve their legitimate rights and establish their independent state, indicating that Egypt will continue to support all efforts aimed at enabling the Palestinian people to exercise their legitimate rights and achieve their national aspirations.
He also thanked Mr. Fayez Ali Al-Mutairi, Director General of the Arab Labor Organization, in appreciation of his sincere efforts in organizing this forum, his continuous follow-up of the Palestinian issue, and his constant support for the rights of workers and the Palestinian people. He also appreciated the presence of the Director-General of the International Labor Organization, Gilbert Hongbo, and his participation in the work of the forum, which reflects the international organization’s commitment to the principles of social justice, human dignity, and defending workers’ rights in various parts of the world.
Raddad explained that holding this forum under the umbrella of the International Labor Organization places the international community before a great moral and legal responsibility, wondering about the possibility of applying international labor standards in light of a reality suffering under occupation, exclusion and daily violations… He stressed that this international forum represents an important platform for raising the voice of the Palestinian people and other Arab peoples under occupation, and highlighting the grave violations they are exposed to that are inconsistent with the human values and principles on which international organizations are based.
Current conditions in the Palestinian territories
He pointed out that the current conditions in the Palestinian territories require urgent action to stop the killing, displacement, starvation, torture, and demolition of homes, hospitals, schools, and infrastructure to which the Palestinian people are exposed, preventing the arrival of humanitarian and relief aid, targeting medical personnel, women, children, and the elderly, and attempts at forced displacement, stressing that these practices represent crimes against humanity and grave violations of international humanitarian law.
He also expressed, on behalf of the Arab Group, his condemnation of the law of executing Palestinian prisoners approved by the occupation authorities, considering that it represents a perpetuation of racist policies and a further violation of the rights of the Palestinian people, calling on the international community to take action to abolish it and release all Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
The Minister stressed that the Arab Group believes that the time has come to move from the stage of condemnations and moral solidarity to the stage of taking practical and effective measures to stop violations and hold those responsible for them accountable, stressing the necessity of referring the perpetrators of war crimes and grave violations against the Palestinian people to the competent international judicial authorities, and holding them accountable in accordance with international law, especially in light of the continued targeting of Palestinian workers, their sources of livelihood, and their right to life and decent work.
He added that the historic decision adopted by the International Labor Conference regarding the status of Palestine as a non-member observer state represents an important step in the process of strengthening the Palestinian presence within international organizations, but the value of this decision will remain linked to the extent of its translation into practical measures that contribute to protecting the rights of the Palestinian people, supporting their steadfastness, and enhancing development and employment opportunities.
The Minister called on international institutions, financing funds and development partners to mobilize more efforts and resources to support employment and vocational training programs in Palestine, and to strengthen the role of the Palestinian Employment Fund, in a way that contributes to creating real job opportunities for Palestinian youth, improving the living conditions of Palestinian families, and enabling Palestinian workers to obtain decent work opportunities and social protection.
Raddad stressed that the Palestinian issue is not the issue of Arabs alone, but rather the issue of everyone who believes in the values of freedom, justice and human dignity, pointing out that supporting the Palestinian people represents a true embodiment of belief in the principles of social justice on which the International Labor Organization was founded.
At the end of his speech, he directed a tribute of appreciation and reverence to the martyrs of Palestine, to every Palestinian worker who lost his life while seeking to earn his living or to defend his right to life, and to the children, women, elderly and youth who fell victims of attacks and violations, stressing that the sacrifices of the Palestinian people will remain a witness to their legitimate struggle for freedom, dignity and full international recognition of the State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital.
