RAMALLAH, Thursday, September 19, 2019 (WAFA) – Representative of Palestinian labor Unions demanded today implementation of the minimum wage law and to increase it above the national poverty line.

The labor Unionists gathered at the Ministry of Labor in Ramallah to put their demands with the Minister of Labor, Nasri Abu Jish, who told them that his ministry intends to implement the minimum wage in all work places.

He said many businesses that have failed to meet the minimum wage requirement were ordered to shut down.

Shaher Saad, head of the Federation of Labor Unions, told the crowd that the current monthly minimum wage of 2470 Israeli shekels ($700) does not even take into account the poverty line of 1974 shekels ($560), demanding increasing the minimum wage.

He also said women workers in factories are getting a monthly wage of 1450 shekels ($410), which is even below the poverty line, demanding to put an end to such violation of women rights.

He said businesses that fail to apply the labor laws should be punished.

M.K.