The Palestine Government, in a statement made public today, clarified the objectives of the proposed law against strikes and lockouts, which is opposed by the Jewish Agency. The statement emphasizes that the law does not aim to suppress the rights of organized labor in Palestine.
“There is no intention on the part of the Government to lower the economic standard or depress the corporate status of the workers. Nor is the Government convinced that such consequences will result from the application of the law,” the statement explains.
The statement points out that the law is not applicable to disputes not connected with the war effort, including the maintenance of the communities’ essential services. Also, it is highly probable that the law will seldom be invoked, the statement explains, adding that, where vital interests are at stake, however, it is not advisable to take any risks.
“Even in a dispute connected with an industry engaged in the war effort both parties involved have considerable time to reach a settlement before it become obligatory to submit the dispute to the Arbitration Board, whose decision in such controversies is to be final and without appeal,” the statement says, adding that the law will be repealed as soon as the emergency is over.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
