Bank of Palestine’s Financial Group allocated the amount of 500,000 Shekels for laborers who lost their jobs as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak in Palestine. Bank of Palestine Group employees allocated their contributions to Wakfet Izz Fund, amounting to 500,000 Shekels, for the Ministry of Labor program in support of currently unemployed laborers, under the slogan “worker to worker.”
The contribution was made through an agreement signed with the Ministry of Labor, as part of Bank of Palestine Group contribution in support of the health and relief sector, as well as workers, in the wake of the outbreak of the Coronavirus in Palestine and the rest of the world.
Bank of Palestine, the Ministry of Labor and the Wakfet Izz Fund signed an agreement to provide financial support to Palestinian laborers across the governorates who lost their jobs as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak. The agreement was signed at Bank of Palestine’s main headquarters in the city of Ramallah, in the presence of Dr. Nasri Abu Jeish, the Minister of Labor, Mr. Azzam Al Shawa, the Governor of the Palestinian Monetary Authority, Mr. Hashim Al Shawa, the Chairman of Bank of Palestine Group, Mr. Talal Nasereddin, the Chairman of Wakfet Izz Fund, Mr. Rushdi Ghalayini, the General Director of Bank of Palestine, and Mr. Rami Mihdawi, the General Director of the General Directorate of Employment at the Ministry of Labor.
Dr. Nasri Abu Jeish, the Minister of Labor, commended the efforts of the private sector, especially Bank of Palestine Group, in supporting the government during the current crisis and the difficult economic and social circumstances confronted by the Palestinian people as a result of the outbreak of the Coronavirus in Palestine and the rest of the world. Abu Jeish stated: “I hope that this contribution was partially respond to the needs of workers and their families.” According to Abu Jeish, “the Ministry will begin to distribute aids to unemployed workers as soon as possible.”
His Excellency Mr. Azzam Al Shawa, the Governor of the Palestinian Monetary Authority, commended the efforts of the banking sector and the position it earned at the forefront of private sector organizations and companies in supporting the people during these difficult circumstances. Al Shawa pointed out that the Palestinian banking system has repeatedly proved itself in defending the people and the economy, and never hesitated to provide everything in its capacity, from a national and humanitarian perspective, during times of crisis. Al Shawa pointed out that “the banking sector is upholding its social responsibility and other burdens resulting from the ongoing health crisis, and it continues to serve its people and the economy under these difficult circumstances.”
Mr. Hashim Al Shawa, the Chairman of Bank of Palestine Group, stressed that the support provided for laborer who lost their jobs was divided into two parts: the first stemmed from the support provided by Bank of Palestine Group through the Wakfet Izz Fund in the amount of half a million Shekels, while the second half a million was allocated by the Group’s employees under the slogan “from worker to worker.” These contributions, which stem from the corporate social responsibility efforts of Bank of Palestine Group, will be made through the Wakfet Izz Fund. All funds raised will go to the most affected social groups.
Mr. Talal Nasereddin, the Chairman of Wakfet Izz Fund, expressed his enthusiasm towards this spirit of positivity, and the partnership and cooperation between the private sector and the government to reach social sectors than were most affected by the spread of the Coronavirus. Nasereddin pointed out that the Fund is making huge efforts to raise donations from the private sector, civil society, Palestinians in the diaspora and friendly international organizations. He called upon private sector organizations, merchants and affluent individuals to provide a helping hand to society by making donations to the Fund. Nasereddin expressed his gratitude and appreciation for all the efforts conducted by Bank of Palestine Group and the support offered during these difficult circumstances.