Ramallah – 08/05/2025
The Democracy and Workers’ Rights Center (DWRC) concluded a training workshop titled “Trade Union Organizing Skills” with the participation of 17 trade unionists representing the Union of Tailoring, Weaving and Textile Workers in Salfit and Tulkarem, the Union of Kindergarten Workers in Abu Dis and Jericho, the Postal Services Workers Union in Hebron, the Secretariat Workers Union in Tulkarem, the Health Services Workers Union (branches in Qalqilya and Hebron), the Municipality Employees Union in Qalqilya, the Administrative Services Workers Union in Ramallah, the Palestinian Electricians Union in Yatta, the South Electricity Company Workers Union, Qalqilya Sports Club, and the Municipality Workers Union of Nuba in Hebron.
The training opened with introductions among participants, an overview of the Center and the workshop, and a discussion of the objectives of the training, the importance of the participants’ engagement, and the expected outcomes that unions should work toward as a result of this session.
The workshop continued with sessions defining the concept of trade union organizing, the purpose of establishing unions, the fundamentals of union work, and their role in maintaining a successful relationship between workers and employers, defending workers’ rights and interests, and helping to ensure a safe and healthy working environment. Participants were introduced to union structures, the union hierarchy, roles and responsibilities of administrative board members, as well as the concept of union meetings and conferences and the steps to organizing them. These topics were explored through interactive exercises and role-playing to help reinforce learning.
The training concluded with a set of recommendations, including the continued dissemination of union-related information through training workshops, awareness sessions, and meetings organized by DWRC. It was also recommended to diversify participants to ensure the sustainability and expansion of outreach efforts, and to distribute awareness brochures and posters via social media, which has become the most widely used platform by individuals. Finally, it was recommended to follow up with unions on their efforts to improve working conditions based on the knowledge gained during the training.
This training was facilitated by Omar Al-Taooz and Amneh Al-Omari from the Culture and Training Unit, with the participation of DWRC Project Manager Karin Metz and representatives from the Olof Palme International Center, which supported the implementation of this training workshop. The session was part of a broader series of activities organized by DWRC to promote the right to freedom of association and union organizing.
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