Israel blocks $10bn owed to Palestinian workers

Deputy Working Minister of the Palestinian Authority Samer Salama said yesterday that Israeli authorities have blocked $10bn which is owed to Palestinian workers, Al- Resalah newspaper has reported.

During a meeting with a delegation from the International Federation Union (UNI) headed by Ann Celine, he called for putting pressure on the Israeli government to return the money owed to Palestinian workers.

The delegation was briefed about how Palestinian workers suffer at Israeli military checkpoints and Israeli violations against them.

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Salama said that 12 per cent of the Palestinian workforce work in Israel, 30,000 workers, work in illegal Israeli settlements and 40,000 others work without permits.

He noted that these workers are exposed to violations by their Israeli employers, who do not meet minimum safety standards in the workplace.

Celine expressed her support for Palestinian workers and pledged to raise the issue of violations against Palestinian workers during her meetings with Israeli officials with the aim of improving work conditions.