Palestinian Trade Unions An overview Global Trade Union Program Palestinian Trade Unions An overview Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Büro Palästinensische Autonomiegebiete, Ost-Jerusalem Table of Contents List of Abbreviations 6 Chapter I Introduction 7 Chapter II History of Trade Unions in Palestine 9 1. From the British Mandate to 2005 9 2. Main Trade Unions today 11 a) PGFTU 11 b) PTUF 12 c) DWRC 12 d) Islamic Trade Unions 13 3. Professional Associations 13 Chapter III Definition of Palestinian Trade Unions 16 1. Self understanding of the PGFTU 16 2. Approach of the DWRC 16 Chapter IV Organisation of PGFTU & DWRC 17 1. Organisation Structures 17 2. Funding 18 3. Cooperation between Trade Unions 18 4. Main Union Laws and Legislations – Establishment of new Unions 19 5. Departments for Youth & Women 19 Chapter V PGFTU, DWRC & their Members 21 1. Payment of Due 21 2. Election Procedures 21 3. Congresses 21 4. Participation of Women 22 Chapter VI Government & the Trade Unions 23 1. Bargaining with the Ministry of Labour 23 The New Labour Law: a) Minimum Wages 24 b) Child Labour 25 c) Social Security Law 25 d) Health Insurance 25 2. Double Hats: PGFTU & PA 25 3. On the way to Democratic Structures 26 4. PGFTU & Histadrut 27 Chapter VII Trade Unions & the Law 28 1. Right to Strike 28 2. Tripartite Consultations 28 3. ILO Conventions 28 Chapter VIII Trade Unions & the ILO 29 1. Main Projects of the ILO 29 2. Programs run by ACTRAV 29 3. Cooperation between the PGFTU & the ILO 29 Chapter IX Palestinian Trade Unions & the International Trade Union Movement 31 1. Affiliation Agreements with GUFs 31 2. Cooperation between Trade Unions and the International Trade Union Movement 31 Chapter X Conclusion: Expectations and Visions 33 Bibliography 34 Apendix Contact Addresses 36 Impressum ISBN 10: 3–89892–607–9 ISBN 13: 978–3–89892–607–2 © Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Publisher: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Büro Palästinensische Autonomiegbiete, Ost-Jerusalem Author: Simone Heil Editing/Redaktion: Michèle Auga, Knut Dethlefsen, Katja Franke, Alicia Ching Layout: Pellens Kommunikationsdesign GmbH, Bonn Druck: bub Bonner Universitätsbuchdruckerei Dezember 2006 6 FRIEDRICH-EBERT-STIFTUNG Palestinian Trade Unions An overview List of Abbreviations ACTRAV Bureau for Workers’ Activities within the International Labour Organisation APS Association for Participation and Development (in Italy) ALO Arab Labour Organisation CCOO Workers’ Commissions (in Spain) DFLP Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine DGB Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund DWRC Democracy and Workers’ Rights Center FES Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung FOS Fund for Development Cooperation (in Belgium) GTUF General Trade Union Federation GUF Global Union Federations GUPW General Union of Palestinian Workers ICATU International Confederation of Arab Trade Unions ICEM International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions ICFTU International Confederation of Free Trade Unions IDF Israeli Defence Force IFBWW International Federation of Building and Wood Workers IFJ International Federation of Journalists ILO International Labour Organisation IMF International Metalworkers’ Federation IT Information Technology ITF International Transport Workers’ Federation NGO Nongovernmental Organisation NIS New Israeli Shekel PA Palestinian Authority PFLP Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine PGFTU Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions PLC Palestinian Legislative Council PLO Palestinian Liberation Organisation PNA Palestinian National Authority PPP Palestine People’s Party PSI Public Services International PTUF Palestinian Trade Union Federation UN United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Program UNI Union Network International Palestinian Trade Unions FRIEDRICH-EBERT-STIFTUNG 7 I. INTRODUCTION Between September 2000 and late 2002 the Pa- will continue to struggle, with all that prolonged, lestinian economy suffered immensely due to the pervasive despair among the Palestinian populace restrictions on the movement of goods and people. that that implies.”2 It was indeed one of the deepest recessions in mod- The activities of the trade union movement are ern history. In 2003 the Palestinian economy stabi- severely affected by the overall situation. High un- lised slightly as violence decreased and curfews employment and poverty among the members of were limited. The economic stability, however, re- the PGFTU have changed the focus of the federation. mains fragile. Faced with high population growth Rather than organising workplaces, the unions are and lack of suffi cient job creation, the stabilisation now concentrating on social issues. possesses little vitality. “Many Palestinians have lost During the Second Intifada, the PGFTU offi ces their jobs, not only in Israel but also in the Palestin- were invaded several times by the Israeli Defence ian territories. The supply of raw materials through Forces (IDF), which destroyed computers and seized Israel has been cut off, for example, as have Pales- papers such as membership documents and the tinian exports. Olive oil products from the West Bank union archive. cannot even reach Gaza, not to mention foreign Furthermore, the travel restrictions such as the markets. Gaza, for its part, cannot export its fruit separation barrier, curfews and closures of check- and vegetables to the West Bank. It’s a disaster!” points make it almost impossible to carry out any explains PGFTU Secretary General Shaher Saed, real trade union activity. The PGFTU leaders in conveying the frustration of Palestinian workers Nablus and in Gaza City are unable to meet due to who are ‘asking for jobs, not charity!’ “It is the Israeli travel restrictions imposed on them, and workers who suffer from collective punishments the communication is diffi cult. The fundamental right most. [...] The most pressing need for workers is as workers to freedom of association is therefore the ability to reach their workplace, so they can violated. In 2003, the PGFTU several times tried in bring home the bread and milk to feed their fami- vain to hold its National Congress in Nablus. As it lies”, he adds.1 turned out, the delegates were unable to travel free- The continuing occupation of the West Bank ly from Gaza and various West Bank towns in order and the construction of the separation barrier lead to reach Nablus, and the event had to continuously to restrictions on movement, and consequently to be postponed. In May 2004, the PGFTU therefore losses in production, employment and income. As held their national congress via videoconference. the United Nations Secretary General underscored, Shaher Saed complains: “As a trade union movement three intertwined areas comprise the Palestinian we need to convene meetings. However, the occupa- reform agenda: Governance, security and eco- tion creates immense problems for us. We have nomic development. “A viable Palestinian economy expensive video conferences between Nablus and is essential in its own right but it can also make a Gaza. Even in the West Bank it is not easy as the vital contribution to governance and security. With- transportation is very diffi cult due to the checkpoints. out real and discernible change on the ground – such For example, we have 17 members in our executive as more job opportunities and the removal of check- board from Ramallah. If they want to come here just points and roadblocks – the Palestinian economy for one meeting, they need to stay for two nights.”3 1 International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), Women trade unionists in Palestine: A daily struggle, pg. 2 2 UN secretary-general in his speech at the London Conference in support of the Palestinian Authority on March 1, 2005, quoted in: International Labour Office Geneva, The situation of workers of the occupied Arab territories, pg. vi 3 Interview with Saed, S., at the PGFTU headquarters in Nablus on March 21st , 2005 8 FRIEDRICH-EBERT-STIFTUNG Palestinian Trade Unions In April 2004, Israeli forces even prevented all day. A promised meeting with the intelligence Palestinian trade union leaders from commemorat- services never materialised and after waiting in vain ing the International Commemoration Day for Dead for days for a permit, he was told that he was not and Injured Workers. Whilst workers around the allowed to travel abroad. This humiliation caused world were gathering to honour deceased, injured Barghouthi’s lawyer to petition the Israeli High and sick workers, senior PGFTU offi cials, including Court of Justice on his behalf. Yet Barghouthi warns the Secretary General Shaher Saed were stopped that it is wrong to blame the Israeli occupation for on their way to a ceremony in Hebron by Israeli everything: “Yes, because of our political activism soldiers at a checkpoint. In a letter to Israel’s Prime the Israelis arrest us sometimes. But on the other Minister, the International Confederation of Free hand we run elections and conferences without any Trade Unions (ICFTU) condemned the defence obstacles from Israel. It is a big lie of the PGFTU to forces’ unnecessary harassment preventing Pales- say that because of the occupation it is a problem tinian trade union offi cials from carrying out these for them to run democratic elections.”5 legitimate trade union activities.4 The purpose of this handbook is to shed some Moreover, Hasan Barghouthi, head of the De- light on the history, defi nition, organisation and mocracy and Workers’ Rights Center (DWRC), an membership of the Palestinian trade unions. Fur- NGO not affi liated to the PGFTU,