UNRWA staff in Jordan strike following pay cuts

UNRWA staff in Jordan launched a nationwide strike today to protest against the policy of cuts.

In a statement, the UNRWA staff committee called for the reinstatement of unpaid leave and staff forced into early retirement; and the reinstatement of the salary advances system as it was before.

UNRWA staff also called for vacancies to be filled and improved work and living conditions for staff.

The strike comes as ten employees entered their tenth day of hunger strike inside the headquarters of UNRWA in the capital Amman.

UNRWA has suffered a severe shortage of funding which was exacerbated earlier this year when the US cut more than half its funding to the international  body. The Department of State announced that it was withholding $65 million out of a $125 million aid package earmarked for the body.

Read: UNRWA employees start hunger strike in Amman