Workers from across the island of Ireland will participate in a coordinated Workplace Day of Action for Palestine on Friday (28th November), with thousands expected to join demonstrations, workplace actions, and solidarity events calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza and Israel's illegal occupation of Palestinian territories.
The Day of Action, organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, comes in light of a violent Israeli raid on the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) in the Occupied West Bank last month.
The action follows the passing of a comprehensive composite motion at the Congress Biennial Delegate Conference in July, which called for coordinated workplace and community action aimed at ending Irish, UK and EU complicity in the genocide in Gaza.
The motion also urged affiliates to secure ethical procurement policies through collective bargaining and to challenge public procurement contracts with companies complicit in genocide, illegal occupation and other breaches of international law.
Commenting on the Day of Action, Congress General Secretary Owen Reidy said:
“The fragile ceasefire agreement is bringing some desperately needed respite for people in Gaza. However, we know that only continued pressure will help stop Israel’s genocide and end the ongoing oppression of the Palestinian people.
"Palestinian workers have called on workers around the world to stand in solidarity with them by campaigning to end the complicity of their governments, corporations and institutions in Israel's system of oppression. As Irish trade unionists, we are answering that call.
"On Friday, Irish workers will demonstrate their solidarity with those workers and civilians in Palestine who continue to suffer under occupation. Thousands of workers in Ireland have already joined national and local protests and have been leading a range of solidarity actions in their workplaces.
“In particular, we are calling for the Government to end its foot-dragging on the Occupied Territories Bill. Given events in the Occupied Territories and the Government’s previous commitments on the Bill, the ongoing political prevarication over its delay is shameful.
"I'm encouraging all those who are in a position to join with the Day of Action to do so. This is about fundamental human rights, international law, and standing with workers and civilians facing unimaginable suffering."
