Ramallah: Palestinian labourers who work in Israel have to deposit money with the Israeli labour courts when they fight legally for their basic labour rights from their Israeli employers.
Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked has signed and put in place new regulations that would impede Palestinians seeking to sue Israeli employers.
According to the new regulations, non-Israeli labourers must deposit money with the Israeli courts and in the event the claimant is unable to prove claims, the claimant will instantly lose the court case, provided that the deposits are non-refundable and the Palestinian labourers will strictly be denied the right to claim the deposit money.
The Israeli employers warmly welcomed and praised the new regulations, while Palestinian labourers have abandoned hope for any sort of justice.
Palestinian labourers working in Israel, estimated to be around 50,000, say they are exploited and have provided ample documentation to support their claims.
The Palestinian Labour Coalition has harshly criticised what it calls systematic attacks against Palestinian workers inside Israel.
“The unfair and inhumane ways Israelis treat the Palestinian labourers clearly show racism and barbarism against the Palestinian civilians searching for their daily bread,” said Mohammad Al Arqawi, the coalition’s Coordinator.
“The current international attitude is encouraging Israel and makes the Palestinian labourers easier prey for the Israeli employers.”
