TONY RICHARDSON spoke to the Ramallah Region of the PGFTU - the union federation recognised by the British TUC and a member of its National Executive. Mohammed had campaigned for the union to hold its first membership elections.
He explained
"I told PGFTU I would end relations with them if they did not hold elections.
"In May 2004, they said they would have elections within 2 years. But these elections did not involve the membership, but were just votes amongst the officials.
"So then in May 2006 l started to work with unemployed workers. There are 256,000 unemployed in Palestine. Unemployment is more than 40%, and 65% are below the poverty line.
"The government. has concentrated on trying to pay more than 160,000 public sector workers, who still often don't get their wages because of the sanctions
"Consequently there are still public sector strikes. Teachers are currently discussing whether to strike again.
"We took a decision to organise unemployed workers. We had elections in the regions, and elected regional committees, in each district.
*On September 7-8 last year, we held a conference in Ramallah, to which we invited Abbas, but he sent the labour minister, and someone from the PLO Executive. We also had representatives from political parties, and movements.
"We discussed a Constitution, and elected an Executive of 11, and I was elected Chairman. There were The Labour Ministry has a policy that they give, say, $100 a month to 1000 unemployed in each district; they get this for three months, then a different group for 3 months. 400 people at the Founding Conference."
Theirs is the first unemployed union in the
"The Labour Ministry first said we could not be recognised, as a union, because we did not represent a section of workers. They still use Jordanian law and they said that is what is set out there. But through the pressure of the conference we got them to accept us, so we were now able to get a bank account, and function.
"We have 2000 members in each of the major towns, like Jenin. We have 25,000, and an office in Hebron.
"We charge membership at 15 shekels, a one off payment, to differentiate from nonmembers. Our problem is what can we give.
"There is no Social Security.
"The Labour Ministry has a policy that they give say $100 a month to 1000 unemployed in each district; they get this for three months, then a different group for 3 months.
"Before the elections of the Hamas Govt. there was a policy of giving public work for 5,000 for 3 months, on a monthly salary of 900 shekels.
"We are now pressurising to get this restarted.
"We are also putting pressure on international organisations, like UNICEF to employ people for a while or for them to create projects, in agriculture, for example.
"Internationals can help with computers, for example, but not sent in freight, because we have to pay tax to Israelis. Could be laptops brought in.
"We desperately need ongoing relationships, with unions in other countries."