NEW YORK, November 4, 2024 (WAFA) - The International Labor Organization (ILO) voted to formally upgrade Palestine’s status from "a liberation movement" to "a non-member observer state".

This came at the conclusion of the General Conference of the Board of Directors of the International Labor Organization (ILO).

The meeting included Shaher Saad, Secretary-General of the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU), along with representatives from Arab and international unions affiliated with the ILO. The final text of the meeting guaranteed the acceptance of Palestine by the Organization's Board of Directors in its resolution 352.

Saad stated that the decision will be finalized at the International Labor Conference in June 2025. He emphasized that this decision grants Palestine full participation in all structures of the International Labor Organization and opens the door for it to transition to participatory membership.

The majority in the conference welcomed the decision, except for Israel, the occupying state, which opposed it.

Saad said that, for the first time, Palestine will participate in 2025 with an official tripartite delegation, representing the government, workers, and employers, signifying its full engagement in the organization.

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) welcomed the ILO Board's decision.

ITUC General Secretary, Luca Visentini, said this recognition by the International Labor Organization is a sign of hope and solidarity with the Palestinian people, who face enormous challenges regarding their human and labor rights. He added that recognizing the state of Palestine is essential for sustainable peace.

T.R.