Ramallah – On May 2nd, 2010, the Palestinian Handicrafts Union in Bethlehem held its founding conference in the Shepherd Hotel in Bethlehem, under the patronage of Bethlehem Governor, Mr. Abd Al-Fatah Hamayel, and with the support of the Democracy and Workers’ Rights Center. The conference was attended by the general assembly members of the union, Governor of Bethlehem Mr. Abd Al-Fatah Hamayel, Representative of the Ministry of Tourism Jeries Qumsieh, Representative of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce Ahmad Abdeen, Representative of the General Union of Palestinian Women-Bethlehem Ahlam Al-Wahsh, Representative of Saed institution Mahira Al-Jamal, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Representative of Union of Charitable Societies-Jerusalem Abed Al-Rahman Abdeen and DWRC representatives.
In his speech during the opening ceremony, Governor Abd Al-Fatah Hamayel greeted the workers on the occasion of the first of May and praised the struggle of Palestinian women and their achievements, expressing his pleasure to announce the formation of a handicrafts’ union which is built by women. He also talked about the policy of the Palestinian National Authority, which is based on building and establishing a State and institutions through achieving real progress on the ground. He also expressed his appreciation for the DWRC’s efforts.
Raed Sadeq, DWRC’s Executive Director, considered the establishment of the union as a step forward on the path of the Palestinian struggle for building a State of institutions based on democracy and the rule of law. He thanked the governor of Bethlehem for attending the conference and for his constant support to workers and their unions. He recalled that the governor had adopted the draft trade union law during his term as legislative council member. Mr. Sadeq also talked about the services and activities provided by DWRC through its projects to all Palestinian workers’ sectors since its inception in 1993. He highlighted the fact that since 2007, DWRC has developed its services to workers in the informal economy, whose numbers have increased recently due to the economic war waged by the Israeli occupation against Palestinians and because of the increase of unemployment among workers. He also demanded further efforts from the Palestinian Authority to ensure a decent life, provide employment opportunities, establish of social funds and a social protection system for workers, in order to secure their future and their children’s and enable them to contribute with their union leaders in the process of building an independent Palestinian State with Jerusalem as its capital. He also announced that DWRC will pursue its efforts in securing support in order to assist and empower workers, especially those in the informal economy.
Speaking on behalf of the union’s preparatory committee, Fatima Breijieh thanked DWRC and considered that this conference will help in strengthening women’s unity to preserve Palestine’s cultural heritage and reinforcing their struggle to protect their interests in all areas.
At the end of the conference, elections took place for membership of the union’s administrative committee, and the following candidates were elected: Kifah Asad, Khawla Al-Shabeen, Fatima Breijeyeh, Margo Zeidan, Abeer Jaber, Taghreed Abu Sroor and Faten Manasra.
Imad Al-Labadi, a key member of DWRC’s initiatives supporting informal economy workers, said that DWRC is planning on holding a meeting for the new administrative body to enable them to distribute tasks and responsibilities and develop an action plan for the union’s next steps.