The International Trade Union Confederation issued this official statement on June 7, 2025.
The International Labour Conference adopted by a clear majority a resolution formally recognising Palestine as a non-member observer state in the International Labour Organization (ILO), in a major step forward for Palestinian rights and representation in the multilateral system.
The decision aligns the ILO’s position with the United Nations General Assembly resolution calling on all specialised UN agencies to expand Palestine’s participation rights.
This recognition strengthens the ability of Palestinian representatives to defend the rights of workers and contribute fully to the ILO’s tripartite discussions.
“This is a long-overdue recognition of the Palestinian people’s right to be heard and to participate in decisions that affect their lives and work,” said ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle. “It is a victory for justice, for the principles of the ILO, and for the trade union movement that stood united in solidarity. We call on all countries to recognise the State of Palestine as an urgent and necessary step towards achieving peace through a two-state solution.”
This decision reflects the sustained efforts of the global trade union movement to actively support the process, including through the ITUC’s high-level mission to Palestine in 2024 and its ongoing support for the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) . This recognition must now be followed by urgent international action to end the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
The ITUC reiterates its call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the immediate release of all hostages, unhindered humanitarian access to affected populations, and support for the recognition of the State of Palestine as part of a just two-state solution based on international law.
