Gaza, Palestine: The Palestinian Economic Policy Research Institute (PEPRI) has recently organized the eighth meeting of the sessions of the Community Dialogue Forum on Social Security Law. The meeting was hosted and conducted by the Gaza Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Most citizens and representatives from trade union institutions, the private sector, parties, factions, civil society and political figures attended the meeting.
During the meeting, a number of ministers and government officials were present, including the Governor of Gaza, Mr Ibrahim Abu Al-Naja; Minister of Labor, Dr Nasri Abu Jesh; Eman Awad; Deputy Chairman of the Gaza Governorate Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rasam Al-Bayari on the General Union of Palestinian Labor Unions and International Labor Organization experts, and the session’s speaker Dr Salama Abu Zaitar.
The Minister of Labor has stated that this law is only a draft for public discussion, which is amendable. He added, “This is a national social dialogue inclusive; we must come out with a comprehensive vision that agrees with everyone’s views, and we must have a national consensus on building state institutions, a national social responsibility that falls. It is all up to us to succeed.”
In addition, Minister Abu Jesh added that these dialogue meetings are held in all governorates of the country and aim only to get opinions and suggestions from citizens on the draft law. “There is a government contribution in securing unemployment and regarding the occupation,” Said Abu Jesh.
He continued his remarks and noted, “What I have seen in the sector is nothing but The determination of the people of the sector to triumph is clear evidence of the strong will and high desire to build our institutions.”
On his part, the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rasim Al-Bayari, warned of the dangers of not applying this law to benefit all, such as achieving Al-Ahli peace in society and stability of work between workers and employers. He said, “We in the General Union of Palestinian Labor Unions in all its components stand one row behind this law for Let us have a social security foundation”.
In turn, Iman Awad, MP, clarified that despite all the economic conditions in the Gaza Strip, this law would be a real lever and a serious step towards achieving a more just society. “Our presence today reflects our shared commitment to Palestine’s social security issues and the desire to seek sustainable and effective solutions,”
She added. “We recognize that social security is the foundation of social justice and sustainable development, and therefore we are committed to strengthening governance mechanisms and achieving the financial sustainability of this system,” she noted.
“We also strongly believe in the cooperation between the Palestinian government, the private sector and workers in achieving our common goals, as cooperation and coordination represent the key to building a strong and just social system that benefits all members of society,” added the minister.
In his role, Raja Al-Khalidi, the Director General of the Mass Institute, also outlined that the Institute is keeping up with the dialogue launched by the representatives of the three parties.
It was claimed that his role was limited to hosting the dialogue and recording notes that would contribute to the exit of modern law in accordance with the view of the three parties.
Furthermore, the international expert Dr Mohammed Tarouna on the topic of governance was of interest to everyone and was discussed in many dialogues held, and among the Tarwana that there are 17 elements of governance in the articles of law.
He pointed out that all the policies and decisions of the Guarantee Institution are placed only on its board of directors. “There are no powers neither for the government nor for any other party, and there is a board representative of all production parties, and no party can individualize the board’s decisions,” Tarouna added.
Although the institution has a credit figure, its funds are subjected to the Financial Oversight Court. The institution depends on public financial disclosure on its financial statements and the financial centre of the fund, and the financial statements will be verified by an external audit company.
In his turn, he made it clear. Mohammed Kharees, the expert in social security matters, says there are many benefits that the law states that the affiliates have been able to take advantage of, such as the retirement salary, death salary and disability salary.
Work injury insurance includes medical care (medical treatment costs, work injury travel costs, provision of rehabilitation services and equipment, including industrial ends) and the insured worker’s due daily allowances and outstanding monthly salaries or single payment compensation.
Under the law, joining also includes maternity insurance so that the institution pays the woman insured a cash benefit for her leave in accordance with the provisions of this decree by law and acting in accordance with the instructions issued by the council. The law states that the believer is entitled to twelve weeks of maternity leave.
Ben D Atef Alauna, the economist, states that the unemployment insurance provided by this law, which was not in the previously introduced law, is a good addition that includes the benefit of unemployment insurance, which pays cash allowances to its unemployed insurer equivalent to 85% of the minimum wage for three consecutive months. He acts from the first month following the month when the insured applies to request disbursement of this benefit according to law.
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