This paper is part of a campaign launched under the “Atad” project, implemented by PalVision with support from the Representative Office of Finland. It highlights the violations faced by women working in kindergartens regarding the minimum wage, legally set at 1,880 shekels a month by Cabinet Decision No. 4 of 2021.
The paper draws on a field survey of 30 kindergartens in Nablus, Bethlehem and Ramallah, which found weak compliance with the minimum wage and continuing practices such as sham contracts and extra workload without pay. It sets out the reasons behind these violations, from the lack of deterrent penalties and weak legal oversight to economic fragility and fear of arbitrary dismissal.
It offers practical recommendations: activating the role of the Ministry of Labour, strengthening legal protection for workers, holding awareness workshops, and activating the role of unions, to improve working conditions in the sector and ensure basic fairness and economic security for women.