GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — International labor officials applaud the Palestinian government's recent decision to ban brokerages that "blackmail" Palestinians seeking permits to work in Israel. However, more work needs to be done, they said.
The government on Oct. 15 issued a decision to ban the practices of these intermediaries, who charge between 1,500 and 3,000 shekels ($425 and $850) per month, Haaretz reported Oct. 23. Palestinian Minister of Labor Nasri Abu Jaish released a statement saying the government decision also will allow workers to prosecute intermediaries to recover the amounts they paid.