fulfillment forms setting out requirements for correcting violations of the labor law, two
establishments were completely closed, due to their violation of the terms and standards of
occupational safety and health.33
Regarding its role in monitoring and inspecting the conditions of work that must be met and
respected by employers, the Ministry stated that it had received (618) complaints, of which (316)
complaints were resolved, (212) complaints are still under follow-up and (207) complaints have
been referred to the judiciary. The Ministry served (1838) warnings and issued (5242) notices to
violating establishments. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labor in Gaza received (1043) complaints
and issued (53) warnings to violating establishments and referred (5) complaints to the judiciary.
In this context, the commission recommends that Palestinian legislators make the necessary
amendments to the labor law to tighten penalties for violating conditions occupational health and
safety and approve a special law that regulates occupational safety and health standards, within the
work environment, which is in line with international conventions. There is a need for the Council
of Ministers to review government plans and programs, introduce measures and programs to
reduce unemployment rates and develop programs targeting youths, in partnership with the private
business sector. The programs should respond to indicators of high unemployment rates, especially
among youths and the operational plan, as well as to the sectorial plans of the Ministry of Labor,
to integrate that into the general budget. Additionally, there is a need for the Ministry of Labor and
the Ministry of Women's Affairs to take adequate measures and actions that enable women to fully
participate in and exercise their right to work, without any restriction, obstruction or discrimination
based on gender. Furthermore, there is a need for the Ministry of Labor to perform its oversight
role on the compliance of work establishments with the legal provisions and legislation related to
protecting the rights of the Palestinian child and abiding by the restrictions on child labor in the
Labor Law. Added to the above the need to take punitive measures and step against any party that
violates the above, in addition to the need for activating the inspection and control process on
various work facilities.
The second subject: The Right to Health
On May 22, 2019, the General Assembly of the World Health Organization adopted a resolution
in favor of Palestine that includes support for Palestinian health services, support for the Capacity
Development Program to improve health capacities for Palestinians, including East Jerusalem, and
the development of strategic plans regarding investment in the provision of specific capacities for
treatment and diagnosis. The issuance of several legislations related to the right to health, including
the decision by the law amending the water law,34 the Decree Law on occupational safety and
An interview conducted by the researcher with Eng. Shadi Helles, Deputy Director General of Inspection and 33
Labor Protection, (previous reference).
Decree Law No. 18 of 2019 amending Decree Law No. 14 of 2014 concerning water, issued on 9/10/2019 and 34
published in Issue