Millions of workers all over the world celebrate Workers' Day on 1 May. Every year, the workers set an agenda for their development in terms of financial income and career promotion.

The Palestinian workers are exceptional to that rule since they have been on a forced holiday for years. Thousands of them can barely provide their families' daily bread in light of the dire economic conditions as a result of the siege and the closures imposed on the Palestinian people. In fact, the Palestinian workers were forced to enter a fierce battle in order to provide their food, fiercer than military wars, especially after thousands of workers have joined the Palestinian army of the unemployed, which has registered the highest rates at an international level, according to international humanitarian reports.

Catastrophic holiday

Palestinian worker, Akram Mussa, 40, has been unemployed for more than 10 years. He questions the celebrations, saying that such celebrations are for the employed people only. He says that for him and other people living in similar circumstances, they have been on a long forced vacation for years, and so they do not need this workers' day. He says, "I do not know how to manage, and I head a family of 10, most of whom are students."

He adds: "Unfortunately, nobody cares about the workers. Even the humanitarian and charitable organizations which used to support us decreased their aid following the economic and political embargo imposed on the Palestinian people."

May of sadness

Palestinian citizen, Hassan Salah, says in fury that the Palestinian workers have become the prey which everybody attacks. "On one hand, Israel deprives us of work," he says, "and on the other, the Palestinian Authority does not care for us, nor do they try to create alternative jobs."

"Unfortunately, all the news we hear are only false declarations aimed to 'throw ash in our eyes'," he continues. "In fact, no single Palestinian official has offered support to the workers."

Exploitation of the workers

Another Palestinian worker, Muhammad Abu Mustafa, highlights that "the Palestinian factions dealt with the workers cheaply during the legislative elections; each faction pledged numerous promises which evaporated after the elections and nothing came true."

Abu Mustafa called on the Palestinian Legislative Council to legislate just laws aimed at supporting the workers and their families, such as an unemployment law which would either secure jobs for the unemployed or compensation packages. He says that this is necessary because the government cannot find them jobs.

Source: Maan News Agency