São Paulo – The annual report on jobs in Palestine, elaborated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) shows that there were advances in the creation of work posts in 2011. Last year, 21% of the population of Palestine was unemployed, equivalent to approximately 222,000 people. One year before, the rate of unemployment was greater and reached 23.7% of the economically active population in the region. According to the study, disclosed on Monday (4), the reduction in the rate of unemployment was 4.1% in a year.
Also according to the study, the Palestinian territories continued presenting a tendency for economic growth in 2011, as had been taking place before. In 2011, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Palestine grew 10.7%. it was boosted, overall, by the greater GDP in Gaza Strip, which rose 26.6% in the period.
Even with these advances, the situation of workers in the region is still precarious, according to the ILO, especially when evaluating perspectives for future employment. According to the study, last year, 53.5% of women and 32.2% of men aged between 15 and 24 were unemployed. The report shows that this rate of unemployment is concerning because 71% of Palestinians are aged under 30.
In a press statement, the ILO stated that unemployment in Palestine is high due to the Israeli occupation. "This is particularly true regarding the so-called ‘Área C’ in the West Bank, which is an essential part of the future state of Palestine. The area covers 60% of the territory of the West Bank, but continues under Israeli control, and Palestinians are denied their means of subsistence and access to their peers,” says the report.
In the report, the director general at the ILO, Juan Somavia, defended that development is the “logic” to peace in the region and should follow long-term planning of economic, labour and safety interests of all workers in the occupied territories in Israel. The report also suggests that institutions and policies be strengthened for generation of jobs, social dialogue, gender equality, social security and fair revenues according to the work offered.
*Translated by Mark Ament
