On International Workers’ Day: Palestinian workers face an unprecedented economic collapse and struggle to survive
Occupied Palestinian Territory – On the occasion of International Labor Day, marked annually on May 1, ActionAid Palestine) AAP) highlights the unprecedented reality faced by Palestinian workers amid the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip since October 2023, which has resulted in widespread destruction and a near-total collapse of the economic infrastructure. This comes alongside escalating military measures, movement restrictions, closures, and increasing settler violence in the West Bank.
According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), unemployment in the Gaza Strip surged to around 68% during the ongoing Israeli war, accompanied by a sharp drop in labor force participation to about 25%, compared to 40% before the war. In the West Bank, unemployment increased to about 28% in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from around 13% in the third quarter of 2023
This reality reflects not only numbers, but a deep humanitarian crisis experienced by Palestinian workers who have lost their sources of income and homes and are now forced to work in harsh and unstable conditions lacking even the most basic social and economic protections. From working amid the rubble to relying on temporary and precarious jobs, daily survival has become the primary struggle in the absence of decent work opportunities.
Workers also face increasing difficulties accessing their workplaces due to widespread destruction and movement restrictions, further exacerbating unemployment and poverty and leading to widespread reliance on humanitarian aid. In the West Bank, workers endure harsh conditions due to loss of livelihoods and restricted access to work as a result of checkpoints and mobility constraints imposed by the authorities, including sudden closures, prolonged delays, denial of access to workplaces, detention, and in some cases, being shot at while attempting to reach their jobs—alongside exhausting hours of waiting that drain both physical and mental energy.
Women workers face compounded challenges, as structural economic violence deepens through restricted access to resources and employment opportunities, and increased reliance on informal work lacking legal protections. Wage gaps and limited access to social protection persist, further exacerbating their economic vulnerability and increasing their burdens, particularly with the growing number of female-headed households.
In this context, AAP affirms that decent work and safe access to workplaces are fundamental human rights, not privileges. Ensuring economic justice, including women’s economic empowerment, is a key pillar for strengthening the resilience of Palestinian society and building a more just and sustainable economy.
ActionAid Palestine calls on the international community, including European governments and the International Labour Organization, to uphold their legal and moral responsibilities by taking urgent and concrete steps to: protect the rights of Palestinian workers; ensure safe access to workplaces; support livelihoods and the rehabilitation of the Palestinian economy; strengthen
social protection systems, particularly for the most marginalized groups; and end violations that undermine the right to work and to a dignified life.
AAP also stresses the need to hold accountable those responsible for the policies and practices that have led to this severe deterioration in the labor market, and to ensure respect for international law and human rights. The dignity of Palestinian workers and their right to decent work and a dignified life must be at the center of any serious international response.
On International Workers’ Day, AAP reaffirms its commitment to continue working with local and international partners to support the resilience of workers, promote their rights, and advance economic and social justice.
About ActionAid International
ActionAid International is a global federation working with more than 41 million people across over 72 of the world’s poorest countries. We strive for a world founded on justice and sustainability, where everyone enjoys a life of dignity, freedom, and a world free from poverty and oppression. Our work focuses on achieving social justice, gender equality, and eradicating poverty.
ActionAid began its work in Palestine in 2007 to strengthen the resilience of the Palestinian people, grounded in their right to freedom, justice, and self-determination. In Palestine, ActionAid implements various programmes through engagement with Palestinian communities, youth groups, and women. We aim to empower women and young people, enhance their effective civic and political participation, deepen their understanding of their rights, and mobilize them to engage in collective action to address rights violations resulting from prolonged occupation. Additionally, we work to strengthen their leadership capacities and support them in practicing active citizenship by holding authorities and other duty bearers accountable.
For more information, please contact:
Riham Jafari
Communications and Advocacy coordinator – ActionAid Palestine