Ramallah (UNA/WAFA) – Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa affirmed the Palestinian government’s readiness in its plans to rebuild the Gaza Strip, and the continuation of discussions with national, regional and international parties to achieve this, despite the difficulty of the task and the complex environment, and the determination, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, to assume responsibilities towards our people in the Gaza Strip..
This came during his speech at a workshop to enhance the role of local employment and training councils in formulating local labor market strategies, enhancing cooperation, and supporting sustainable job opportunities in Palestine. The workshop was attended by Minister of Labor Inas Al-Attari, governors of the governorates, head of the mission of the representative office of the Federal Republic of Germany, Anke Schlemm, and representatives of governmental and civil institutions and the private sector, on Wednesday in Ramallah..
The Prime Minister conveyed the greetings of President Mahmoud Abbas and his thanks for what he has provided to serve the Palestinian people, especially in these fateful circumstances. He addressed his people, saying that we have been destined to be in this difficult situation time and time again, but our strong, persevering people have proven each time that they are capable of overcoming it..
Mustafa said: “We will emerge from the Gaza catastrophe to an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital, under the leadership of President Mahmoud Abbas, and with the efforts of loyal national institutions. The New York Declaration and the recognition of 159 countries so far are the best evidence of the achievement on this path. We want an independent state, free from wars, occupation and settlement.”".
The Prime Minister stressed that the difficult economic and financial situation and high unemployment are primarily caused by the occupation, and that ending the occupation is essential to changing this. He noted that the government will do what is necessary to relaunch the national economy, develop the work of institutions, and enforce law and justice..
Mustafa addressed a message to the people of the Gaza Strip, stating that they will not be left alone in this ordeal. He explained that what is required is more than a ceasefire, but rather includes all aspects of life, and the guarantee begins with the full return of national legitimacy. He pointed out that the national civil and security institutions are capable of leading the process of recovery, reconstruction, unification of institutions, and paving the way for the establishment of an independent state in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem..
In her speech, Al-Attari stressed that the workshop comes within the government's efforts to enhance coordination and dialogue between the main partners in the labor market, and to discuss national priorities and policies aimed at developing the vocational and technical education and training system and promoting decent and sustainable employment, especially in the post-war period on the Gaza Strip, especially after the development of the frameworks of the national employment strategy..
She appreciated the German government's support and effective contribution to developing the vocational and technical training sector, empowering Palestinian youth, and raising their competencies in a way that enhances economic and social development..
Al-Attari pointed out that local employment and training councils are one of the main pillars of the national employment system, as they serve as coordination and consultative platforms that bring together partners in the governorates to identify labor market needs and develop appropriate programs for their implementation. She emphasized that these councils have contributed, over the past years, to the implementation of successful employment initiatives in partnership with local authorities, chambers of commerce, and civil society institutions, which has led to the creation of sustainable job opportunities and the improvement of public services for citizens..
Regarding the Gaza Strip, Al-Attari explained that the Ministry of Labor continues to implement its interventions and employment projects despite the difficult conditions, through employment support programs, youth empowerment, and support for workers and affected families. She stressed that the Ministry is working to form an employment council in the Gaza Strip soon to enhance coordination and unify efforts in the areas of employment, and to provide emergency programs that are compatible with the difficult humanitarian and economic reality, which contributes to creating sustainable job opportunities, empowering youth, and strengthening the resilience of citizens..
It also announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the SOS Children's Villages organization. SOS Palestine, to provide three-month financial grants to 500 unemployed people in the Bethlehem and Hebron governorates, with funding from the Hermann Gmeiner Fund in Germany. The grants will be implemented through employment councils in the two governorates and under the supervision of the Ministry of Labor.
Within the framework of digital transformation, Al-Attari revealed that the Ministry of Labor is currently working on preparing a national employment platform, in cooperation with the Belgian Development Agency (Enabel), with the participation of local and international companies, explaining that the platform will be officially launched next month under the patronage and presence of the Prime Minister.
She explained that the platform will represent a qualitative shift in the management of the Palestinian labor market through smart, artificial intelligence-powered connectivity between job seekers and employers, in addition to providing internal, external, and remote job opportunities and providing the government with accurate data to support employment policies.
For her part, Anke Schlemm, Head of Mission of the Representative Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation between Palestine and Germany in the areas of employment and vocational and technical training, especially after the devastation caused by the war. She noted that recovery in the Gaza Strip requires concerted international efforts, primarily from Germany and Europe, which supports these efforts. She noted that work is underway to prepare a conference to support the reconstruction of Gaza, in cooperation with our partners in Palestine. She emphasized that investing in skills and strengthening partnerships are essential to creating sustainable job opportunities and achieving comprehensive economic development.
She explained that the German government has supported Palestine in previous years with approximately one billion euros, working to support entrepreneurship, water desalination and treatment plants, and supporting employment and training councils, given their importance in enhancing the skills of the workforce in the labor market. She noted that Germany is considered the first country to support the “Future Initiative” to provide employment opportunities for youth and women, stressing her country’s keenness to enhance cooperation with the Palestinian Ministry of Labor to support the Palestinian economy and enhance decent work opportunities.
In his speech, the Governor of Jericho and the Jordan Valley, Hussein Hamayel, on behalf of the President's Advisor for Governorate Affairs, pointed out the great importance of employment and training councils in the governorates as an effective tool in formulating local employment policies. He stressed the need to enhance integration between public and private sector institutions and civil society, in light of the scarcity of capabilities and resources and the economic blockade, in addition to mobilizing international support to support the labor sector. He pointed out the importance of providing vocational training institutes to encourage young people to engage in them and qualify them with new skills, to open up job opportunities and meet the needs of the labor market, thus ensuring the achievement of sustainable economic and social development. He also stressed the governorates' full support for these councils, as they represent a fundamental pillar in reducing unemployment and economically empowering youth and women.
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