The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has voted to upgrade Palestine’s status from “liberation movement” to “non-member observer state,” as reported by Palestinian news agency WAFA. This status change, adopted during the ILO Board of Directors’ General Conference, was backed by the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) and several allied unions.
The decision, marked as Resolution 352, solidifies Palestine’s position in the ILO and enables full participation in its structures. The resolution will be finalised at the upcoming International Labour Conference in June 2025.
According to reports, only Israel opposed the decision.
PGFTU’s Shaher Saad stated that the new status paves the way for Palestine’s potential transition to full membership. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) also supported the resolution, calling it a significant step toward acknowledging Palestinian labour rights and contributing to sustainable peace.
The ILO, a UN agency founded in 1919, remains the only tripartite organisation within the UN, uniting governments, employers, and workers from 187 countries to advance fair labour standards worldwide.