ILO urges protection of workers amid Mideast conflict

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has called for the protection of all workers in Israel and Palestine, as the security situation worsened in the region amid the escalating Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In a statement published on Oct 27, the ILO said the hostilities have resulted in — and continue to cause — not only tragic loss of human life, but "also an unprecedented loss of livelihoods, jobs, income, businesses, and civilian infrastructure, with a devastating impact on labor markets in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel".

An area of concern, it said, was the situation of almost 20,000 Gazan daily workers in Israel.

The ILO said it was currently providing emergency assistance to Palestinian workers who are facing dire living conditions because of the crisis and is working to put in place a program focusing on social protection, skills, jobs and small business recovery.

In the statement, ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo urged all parties "to ensure the protection of all workers in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory who have been affected by this crisis", including workers from Gaza working in Israel, and all health and aid workers who he said were "providing vital assistance on the ground".

"The ILO stands ready to continue working with other UN agencies, the international community, and our partners to assist and support the impacted communities, within the terms of our mandate," the statement read.

The ILO chief deplored the unprecedented attacks by Hamas against Israel on Oct 7, which resulted in more than 1,400 deaths and at least 200 abductions of Israeli and international civilians. And he also condemned the deaths of thousands of civilians in Gaza, including United Nations staff, as a result of Israel's military response.

In a separate statement on Oct 27, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the humanitarian system in Gaza "was facing a total collapse with unimaginable consequences for more than 2 million civilians".

He noted that about 500 trucks per day were crossing into Gaza before the hostilities began. In recent days, he added, an average of only 12 trucks per day have entered, despite needs being "far greater than at any time before".

"I welcome the growing global consensus for a humanitarian pause in the conflict. I repeat my call for a humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the delivery of life-saving supplies at the scale needed," said Guterres.

"Misery is growing by the minute. Without a fundamental change, the people of Gaza will face an unprecedented avalanche of human suffering. Everyone must assume their responsibilities. This is a moment of truth. History is judging us all," he added.