UPDATE - Arab countries mark International Workers’ Day amid notable Palestinian presence highlighting Gaza crisis

ADDS MORE COUNTRIES, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) - Arab countries hosted a range of events Thursday to mark International Workers’ Day, including seminars, celebrations, honorary tributes and free medical checkups, amid a notable Palestinian presence in light of Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

Anadolu observed activities held in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Morocco, Tunisia and Mauritania.

• Qatar

The National Human Rights Committee, in cooperation with governmental and UN bodies, organized a seminar titled “Workers’ Rights: Protection Measures and Sustainability Prospects,” during which the state reaffirmed its ongoing efforts to reform legislation aimed at strengthening workers’ rights, according to the official Qatar News Agency (QNA).

• United Arab Emirates

Various emirates across the UAE hosted events honoring workers, which included the distribution of gifts and shopping vouchers, free medical checkups, awareness lectures, and the recognition of outstanding workers, according to its official news agency.

• Bahrain

Under the patronage of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s two main labor unions organized tribute ceremonies attended by government officials, during which a select group of outstanding workers was honored in recognition of their exceptional contributions, according to the official news agency.

• Egypt

Egypt’s Minister of Labor, Mohamed Gebran, extended greetings to workers, affirming their role in the “battle for development” and in paving the way toward a better future amid internal and external challenges, according to a ministry statement.​​​​​​​

Meanwhile, the official celebration—usually attended by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi—was postponed to Saturday due to adverse weather conditions, according to the Cairo 24 news outlet, citing informed sources at the Ministry of Labor.

• Lebanon

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun paid tribute to workers, describing them as the “backbone” of the country, and called for the creation of job opportunities, the improvement of working conditions, and the revitalization of trade unions in line with national interests, according to the official news agency.

• Iraq

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani acknowledged that a large portion of workers lacks social security, announcing the government’s efforts to expand the protection framework. This came during his meeting Thursday with representatives of the country’s labor unions, according to a government statement.

• Jordan

Jordan’s King Abdullah II extended his greetings to workers on their day via the X platform.

Meanwhile, the parliamentary Labor, Social Development and Population Committee affirmed in a statement its “full commitment to continue working to protect workers’ rights, secure employment benefits, enhance the work environment in Jordan, and ensure job security through appropriate legislation.”

• Morocco

Demonstrations unfolded in several cities in Morocco, including Rabat, where the Moroccan Labor Union (UMT) and others held rallies to defend the rights of workers.

Miloudi Moukharik, UMT’s secretary-general, stressed the need for wage hikes, better pensions and increased family allowances during a union festival speech.

The government announced a second 500-dirham ($53) wage increase Wednesday for public sector workers, effective in July, following a similar raise last July.

Abdelilah Dahman, deputy secretary general of the National Labor Union of Morocco (UNTM), called for support for Palestinian workers in light of the killings and forced displacement they are facing at the hands of Israel.

In a statement to Anadolu, he said: “The union has chosen the slogan of a national mobilization to support and stand with the Palestinian resistance.”

• Tunisia

The Tunisian General Labour Union (TGLU) accused the government of pursuing a “policy of unilateralism” and demanded the resumption of social negotiations.

“In the face of a continued policy of unilateral decision-making, which will only deepen failure, corruption and decline, the hopes of most Tunisians have faded,” Secretary-General Noureddine Taboubi said in an address to hundreds of workers outside the union’s headquarters in central Tunis.

Tunisian President Kais Saied previously argued that the TGLU’s role should remain strictly labor-related.

“The right to unionize is guaranteed by the Constitution, but it cannot be used as a cover for political agendas,” he said in January 2023.

• Palestine

According to Shaher Saad, the secretary general of the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions, thousands of workers have been detained, subjected to abuse, torture and enforced disappearance, in addition to facing fines imposed by the Israeli military, all for no reason except their pursuit of a livelihood, particularly since Oct. 7, 2023.

Some died from stress-related heart attacks in overcrowded shelters in the West Bank.

In June 2002, Israel began constructing a concrete barrier in the West Bank to restrict Palestinian movement, a move condemned by the Palestinian Authority and the UN. In 2004, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion declaring the wall illegal.

Roughly 11,000 workers have been arrested and more than 500,000 Palestinians are now unemployed, said Saad, noting that 220,000 jobs inside Israel have vanished, many without final pay.

The Gaza Media Office said in a statement marking International Workers’ Day that workers are experiencing a state of “total paralysis” in securing a source of income due to the humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s genocide.

"While the world celebrates International Workers’ Day, the Gaza Strip is enduring catastrophic conditions due to the ongoing Israeli blockade and the devastating impact of repeated military assaults on all sectors of life,” it said.

• Mauritania

Labor unions organized solidarity marches in support of Gaza, calling for an end to the Israeli genocide and denouncing rising prices and harsh working conditions.

Mohamed Rabbani, secretary-general of the National Confederation of Mauritanian Workers—the country’s largest labor union—said during a rally organized by the union: “We condemn the barbaric war waged by the Israeli occupation on Gaza and demand an end to the genocide.”

International Workers’ Day is an annual celebration observed in many countries on May 1 to honor workers and a public holiday in most countries.