GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The board of directors of the Palestinian Social Security Institution announced June 4 during a press conference held in Al-Bireh, in the central West Bank, that the agency has been launched and is now carrying out its duties and tasks while gradually rolling out its facilities in accordance with the provisions of Social Security Law No. 19 of 2016.

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah said during the same press conference that protecting Palestinian citizens from the dangers they face while providing them with a decent life is the government's raison d’etre and top duty. He said a number of companies are starting to register with the institution in the lead-up to the official and obligatory registration period, which will start Nov. 20.

Hamdallah said the institution will gradually embark on its work of providing benefits to its members. He said the implementation of the minimum wage decision No. 11, which was approved by the government in 2012, will become mandatory. He added that this announcement marks the first step toward safeguarding the rights of about 1 million Palestinian workers and employees.

Osama Harz Allah, the director general of the Social Security Institution, told Al-Monitor that the purpose of the institution is to provide insurance services and benefits to registered members. He said the law will be gradually implemented. The first phase will include provisions for retirement, disability, old age, death, work injury and maternity insurance. The second phase is the Nov. 20 compulsory registration phase, during which unregistered companies will be facing strict measures. The third stage will include provisions for health, unemployment and family compensation insurance based on regulations gradually issued by the government.