Gaza employees start industrial strike today

A union representing civil servants previously employed in the former government in Gaza went on a one-day industrial strike in protest over the decisions of the weekly meeting of the Palestinian unity government, Anadolu Agency reported.

Employees of the previous government, run by Hamas, carried out a protest in front of the headquarters of the Palestinian government in Gaza during the meeting of the unity government.

In April, rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas signed a reconciliation deal that led to the formation of a unity government two months later.

The unity government has faced many obstacles, with a major point of tension the fact that Hamas and Fatah have yet to agree on a solution to pay employees of the former Hamas-run government in the Strip who had gone without salaries for months before the unity deal.

Ihab Bseiso, the spokesman of the unity government, said in a press conference that solving the issue of the employees of the previous government would start with “flexible return”.

Regarding the employees recruited by the previous government, Bseiso said that his government is to wait for the results of the “administrative committee” which is studying the issue. He reiterated the obligation of the unity government to sort out all problems regarding employees.

Those on strike have warned that their action may continue until their demands are fulfilled and their salaries are paid.

Images by MEMO Photographer Mohammed Asad.