Palestinian teachers to protest against salary delays

The General Teachers’ Union (GPU) in the West Bank is threatening a series of protests against the Palestinian Authority. The reason given by the union is the failure of the PA to pay teachers’ salaries for two months. It has given the government until 5th February to rectify the matter and the possibility of a strike is included in the list of planned protests.

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The Palestinian Authority in Ramallah has been unable to pay the salaries of all of its employees for the past two months after Israel blocked the transfer of tax revenues collected on its behalf. The move is seen widely as a punishment for Mahmoud Abbas seeking upgraded status for Palestine at the United Nations last year. President Abbas has recently carried out a tour of Arab capitals to ask their leaders to fulfil their financial pledges to the Authority. However, reports claim that there is no solution on the horizon for the financial deadlock despite Arab states agreeing to provide a financial safety net for the PA.

The GPU is very clear about its demands: “The 5th February is the last day of the good-will period given to the government to reach a final and comprehensive agreement with the teachers about the dates of being paid and the details of their rights,” a union statement said.