United Nations Radio

The International Labour Organization finds that the situation of workers in the occupied Palestinian territories has deteriorated alarmingly.

ILO's annual report on the occupied territories says unemployment is above 20 percent with half of all Palestinian households, and 80% of households in Gaza, depending on international food aid. According to ILO expert, Philippe Egger, international aid, averaging 1 US dollar per Palestinian has helped pay workers in the public sector, which provides one-fifth of all jobs on the territory. But he says the overall employment situation is grim.

"On the whole, only one Palestinian in 3 of working age is today employed. And we have observed a continuous deterioration of the quality of employment. There are more people in very part-time, short-term employment, more people working in services, as opposed to manufacturing and more people working in agriculture."

Mr. Egger says most private enterprises have been forced to close, because they cannot import materials or export goods, due to the closure of crossing points into Gaza.

Reporting for UN Radio, I'm Bissera Kostova.

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