Palestinian Authority (PA) Working Minister, Mamoun abu-Shahla, stated on Tuesday that the Israeli treasury has withheld NIS 31bn ($8bn) since 1970 from Palestinian workers in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, MEMO reported.
The minister said almost three million Palestinian workers have worked in Israel over the past 46 years, QudsNet stated.
While according to Israeli law Palestinian and Israeli workers are equal, the minister sid that Israeli authorities ignore the rights of the Palestinians.
Calls for investigation into $8 billion stolen by #israel from #Palestinian workers https://t.co/pMA1NH0ZGh pic.twitter.com/XFXx3sWWI2
— Abbs Winston (@AbbsWinston) April 12, 2016
Palestinians are subject to seven deductions imposed by the Israeli treasury, as are Israeli workers, however, Palestinians are not entitled to benefit from these deductions by receiving compensations such as pensions and child allowances.
Abu-Shahla said that the PA is working to procure the money through its cooperation with the International Work Agency and other international bodies.
(MEMO, PC)
