Tens of thousands of Palestinians working in Israel went on a one-day strike today to protest the decision to transfer their paychecks to bank accounts instead of receiving cash.

The new payment method has been agreed between the Palestinian and Israeli authorities, who see it as more efficient and safer, but the workers fear that hidden fees and taxes will reduce their wages.

About 200,000 Palestinians cross Israel or Jewish settlements daily to work. On average, they earn twice as much as those who work in Palestinian public services and businesses. Most of these workers do not have a bank account. Registering their wages could be a new source of income for the Palestinian Authority, which is facing serious financial difficulties, but also windfalls for Palestinian banks due to fees and charges.

According to the workers who spoke to Reuters, the agreement would pay wages weekly and charge banks a $1 fee for each transfer. Palestinian Labor Minister Nasri Abu Jayes said that the new agreement is aimed at protecting the rights of workers, and no new taxes are planned to be introduced.

Mohammad Kasib, 43, who works at a steel plant in Israel, said he and thousands of others are protesting the decision, which was taken without regard to workers’ opinions. “They made the decision without consulting the union. The employee, if he does not agree, will lose his work permit, ”he said.

Basim Al Waheidi, 55, a construction worker, said that in addition to the money they would lose due to taxes and bank charges, the workers did not want their wages transferred to the PA banks. “We fear for the future, and there is a crisis of confidence,” he explained.

Workers’ representatives said that if the measure was not lifted, they would step up mobilization and could call a permanent strike.

^{Source: APE-MEB, Reuters}