Yesterday, in its weekly session, the Council of Ministers approved the general framework of the Palestinian employment plan and the related budget, through the support of partners, directed to the Palestinian Employment Fund, to create about 2,500 new sustainable job opportunities, and 3,000 temporary opportunities for the next two years, at a value of $25 million.

The Minister of Labor and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Palestinian Fund for Employment, Nasri Abu Jaish, told the official Wafa News Agency today, Tuesday, that these opportunities will be available to the private sector, in the fields of agriculture, services, construction, industry, and various other sectors.

He added that the new program for the years 2023-2024 will focus on employing women in marginalized areas such as the Jordan Valley, and unemployed graduates, especially graduates of vocational training institutes, as it will provide them with financial support, whether through a grant or a zero-interest loan.

He pointed out that work will be done to support the targeted graduates of vocational institutes, by establishing a small facility in which we will provide them with the necessary equipment and small sums of money, pointing out that these facilities would develop and strengthen the Palestinian economy, and create new job opportunities.

And Abu Jaish added, "The Palestinian Employment Fund presented the government with its achievements during the past four years, as about 21,000 sustainable and non-sustainable job opportunities were created, of which 8,000 are sustainable, in addition to 13,000 indirect job opportunities, which are through the Municipalities Fund and other institutions." Others, including the northern and southern governorates.

He explained that the employment fund is based on three programmes: the first is employment for a period ranging from 6 months in an institution or company, as it will be by signing a contract with the company or institution that employment takes place during this period at the expense of the operating fund, and after its expiration, he signs a contract The second program is through temporary employment for a period of 4-6 months, in one of the institutions or municipalities, while the third program is self-employment by creating self-employment opportunities, such as supporting a facility or establishing Micro and small enterprises.

He pointed out that job opportunities during the last period were 52.5% for the southern governorates, and 47.5% for the northern governorates, of which 10% are for Jerusalem, and 5% for the Jordan Valley, while jobs include 60% for women, and 6% for people with disabilities.