GENEVA, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), The Governing Body of the International Labor Organization (ILO) voted on Thursday by an overwhelming majority to grant the State of Palestine observer status with expanded rights, allowing it to exercise nearly all the privileges of member states, except voting and eligibility for leadership positions. The move reflects growing international support for enhancing Palestine’s role within the organization.
The decision came despite an objection from the United States delegation, which challenged the outcome of a previous conference held in June. The vote passed with 49 members in favor, the US as the sole opponent, and four abstentions from the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and Lithuania.
Palestine’s representative, Ambassador Khreisheh, rejected the US justification linking the decision to a plan announced by US President Donald Trump, describing the argument as a clear politicization of the organization’s work and unrelated to the procedural nature of the decision.
He stressed that Palestine’s participation comes amid severe economic and humanitarian challenges, particularly in the labor sector, where unemployment exceeds 85% in Gaza and over 40% in the West Bank. He expressed hope for expanded cooperation with the ILO to promote social justice, improve working conditions, and protect workers’ rights.
For his part, Shaher Saad, Secretary-General of the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions and a member of the ILO Governing Body, welcomed the decision, calling it a significant step forward that strengthens Palestine’s presence within the organization and enables more effective participation in labor and workers’ rights issues.
Saad noted that the vote reflects broad international support for Palestinian rights despite attempts to block the decision, adding that this achievement is the result of coordinated diplomatic and trade union efforts with international partners.
He emphasized that activating this status will help solidify the representation of Palestinian workers globally and enhance efforts to defend their rights in international forums, thanking the countries and parties that supported the decision and stressing the importance of continuing efforts to strengthen Palestine’s standing within the organization.
