Calls to oust PA labour minister over Social Security Law

Thousands of Palestinians took to the streets of the West Bank city of Ramallah yesterday calling for Labour Minister Mamoun Abu Shahla to be sacked following the approval of the new Social Security Law, Al-Wattan Voice reported.

According to the Palestinian news website, the protesters, who gathered in Al-Manara Square, called for delaying the implementation of the law until modifications were made to it.

They also called for Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah to oust Abu Shahla, who also heads the Social Security Association.

In addition, the protesters reiterated they would never accept the new law or be comply with its terms.

Read: Palestinians protest high unemployment in Gaza

The Palestinian government approved the law despite the severe criticism and complete rejection of a wide range of Palestinian social and labour experts, who stressed it oppresses the Palestinian labourers.

The new is due to be implemented in November, it stipulates that widows cannot inherit their deceased husbands pensions, while orphans cannot inherit their parents’  pension once they finish university.

It has been described as a “disaster” and critics have warned that it will have “devastating effects on Palestinian trade”.