UNRWA mass strike

Palestine

Published: 2018-09-24 12:10

Last Updated: 2024-03-28 23:14


Archive: UNRWA HQ Gaza
Archive: UNRWA  HQ Gaza

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) have begun a full strike today Monday, September 24, 2018 in protest against recent measures taken by the agency’s administration to let go of 1000 employees, and reduction of services.

In response to the staff union call for strike, UNRWA has closed down all of its health, education and service institutions since this morning.

The union had announced the full strike last Wednesday during a mass demonstration attended by about 13 thousand UNRWA employees, warning the agency’s administration against the continuous reductions.

In July of this year, UNRWA's administration in the Gaza Strip decided to cut jobs of 1,000 emergency staff, hundreds of whom had spent decades in service.

The United Nations agency is facing its biggest financial crisis, after a US decision by President Trump to reduce contribution to about $65 million, compared with $365 million in 2017.

In a more recent decision which took place at the end of August, Washington announced to end all aid to UNRWA.