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Unemployment Rate Increases in Palestine

A Palestinian man prepares salted fish to be sold in a market ahead of Eid al-Fitr in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on April 26, 2022. (AFP)
A Palestinian man prepares salted fish to be sold in a market ahead of Eid al-Fitr in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on April 26, 2022. (AFP)
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Unemployment Rate Increases in Palestine

A Palestinian man prepares salted fish to be sold in a market ahead of Eid al-Fitr in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on April 26, 2022. (AFP)
A Palestinian man prepares salted fish to be sold in a market ahead of Eid al-Fitr in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, on April 26, 2022. (AFP)

Figures released on Labor Day have revealed that the number of unemployed Palestinians had increased to 372,000 in 2021, compared to 335,000 in 2020.

The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics issued a statement noting that unemployment rate among labor force participants in Palestine remained unchanged at about 26% in 2021.

According to the statement, the unemployment rate maintained the same rate for the West Bank and Gaza Strip at about 16% and 47%, respectively.

It said the total labor underutilization rate dropped from about 36% in 2020 to 34% in 2021 (524,200 persons including 72,500 discouraged jobseekers and 26,400 in time-related underemployment).

Bethlehem governorate recorded the highest unemployment rate in the West Bank at about 25%, followed by Jenin and Hebron governorates at about 19% for each, while Jerusalem recorded four percent, the lowest among the West Bank governorates.

In Gaza Strip, Dier al-Balah governorate recorded the highest unemployment rate at about 53%, followed by Khan Yunis at about 51%. While North Gaza governorate reached about 38%, which is the lowest among the Gaza Strip governorates.

The statement said the number of workers in Palestine was around 1.3 million — 630,000 in the West Bank, 259,000 in the Gaza Strip, and 145,000 in Israel and the settlements.

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Arab World

Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.