Thousands of Palestinians who work in Israel went on strike Sunday and organized a protest convoy at the Tarkumiya crossing in Hebron as well as the Tulkarem crossing in Samaria over a new direct deposit plan for their wages, which until now have been paid in cash.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
The new plan would see salaries of Palestinian laborers paid through banks in the Palestinian Authority, rather than in cash by their Israeli employers.
The workers are concerned that the PA banks will deduct fees, and that they will have to pay taxes.
"Is anyone guarantees that we'll get all our pay? Our rights will be lost – who will take care of us? People are scared because they don't know what will happen and don't trust the authorities," a few workers demonstrating at Tarkumiya said.
"We aren't accepting this, and we're worried. I make 350 shekels [$107] a day. I pay 1,700 shekels [$519] a month for the work permit. Now they'll start taking out taxes and who knows what else – what will be left? It would be better for me to stay home, or work in the PA. Why should I wear myself out with all these checkpoints and bureaucracy if they just take everything from me?" another worker said.
Mohammad Khaseeb, 43, who works at an aluminium factory in Israel, said he and thousands of others were protesting at a decision which he said was reached without taking workers' views into account.
"They decided without consulting the workers' union. Either a worker agrees or he loses his work permit," Khaseeb said.
The protesters called on Israel and the PA to reverse the decision about running their salaries though PA banks and allow them to be paid in cash. Palestinian Authority Labor Minister Nasri Abu Jeish said the new arrangement was meant to protect workers' rights and that there was no plan to impose new taxes.
"Not a cent will be deducted from the workers," Abu Jeish said.
Salaries will be paid weekly with bank fees set at $1 per transfer, according to a number of workers who spoke to Reuters.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
