Egyptian Minister of Labour Hassan Raddad reaffirmed Egypt’s unwavering support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, stressing that protecting workers and ensuring decent working conditions must never be subject to political considerations.
He said regional stability and lasting peace cannot be achieved without social justice, respect for workers’ dignity and their fundamental right to live and work freely and with dignity.
Raddad made these remarks on Wednesday during a partners’ meeting to support the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) assistance programme for the occupied Palestinian territories, organised by the ILO in co-operation with Qatar and the Netherlands.
The meeting aimed to mobilise financial and political support for the 2026-2029 Decent Work and Economic Recovery Programme for the occupied Palestinian territories.
The minister expressed appreciation to Qatar, the Netherlands and the ILO for organising the meeting, describing it as an expression of the international community’s moral and legal responsibility towards the Palestinians.
He said the meeting was not simply about presenting statistics or documenting daily violations, but about addressing an economic and employment crisis that has deprived Palestinians of the most basic requirements for survival and decent work.
Citing data from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics and ILO reports, Raddad said more than half a million jobs had been lost, gross domestic product had contracted by nearly 29%, and unemployment had exceeded 80% in the Gaza Strip and approached 29% in the West Bank.
He outlined three priorities for supporting Palestinian workers: securing flexible and sustainable funding for the ILO programme; revitalising the labour market through investment, job creation and support for small and medium-sized enterprises, while ensuring that workers recover withheld wages and entitlements; and providing technical and vocational training support.
Raddad announced Egypt’s readiness to make its training expertise and specialised institutions available to Palestinian partners, in co-operation with the ILO, including in skills development, occupational safety and health, and strengthening institutional capacities.
He stressed that international commitments must be translated swiftly into concrete, adequately funded programmes on the ground, reaffirming that social justice and workers’ dignity are essential to achieving lasting peace.
