Geneva: Palestine on Friday officially became a "non-member observer State" in the International Labour Organization (ILO), transitioning from its previous status as a "liberation movement" held since 1975. The plenary of the 113th Session of the International Labour Conference, currently taking place in Geneva, adopted a resolution titled "Status of Palestine in the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Participation Rights of Palestine in ILO Meetings."
According to Kuwait News Agency, this change aligns with the United Nations General Assembly's 2012 decision to grant Palestine similar status. The resolution, which the General Affairs Committee endorsed earlier this week, was adopted following a recommendation from the ILO Governing Body. With this new status, Palestine can now participate in future sessions of the International Labour Conference and regional meetings, represented by a tripartite delegation that includes the government, employers, and workers. While Palestine can engage in general discussions and technical committees, it lacks the right to vote or submit proposals, consistent with participation rights extended under the UN framework.
Under the current Standing Orders of the Conference, Palestine's representatives may speak in the plenary with the President's authorization during discussions on the Reports of the Chairperson of the Governing Body and the Director-General. They may also attend and participate in technical committee sittings with the Chairperson's authorization, though without voting rights or the ability to submit proposals.