Gaza Herald – The Joint Committee for Palestinian Refugees in Gaza has issued a strong condemnation regarding the recent administrative directive from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). In a statement released on Sunday, the committee expressed its deepest objection to the agency’s move to send messages to thousands of employees whose service duration is less than thirteen years. These communications demand that the staff sign new employment contracts valid for only three months.
The committee characterized this step as a direct threat to the professional future of more than three thousand workers in the Gaza Strip. They stated that the decision places these employees before an unknown fate and constitutes a serious violation of their rights, dignity, and family stability. The group emphasized that these individuals are not mere numbers to be removed from payroll lists or financial burdens to be eliminated through administrative decrees, but rather human cadres possessing significant professional experience and accumulation.
According to the committee, the administration’s actions go beyond temporary measures to address a financial crisis. Instead, they view the move as a dangerous decision with clear indicators that it paves the way for terminating the services of thousands of employees after the expiration of the three-month period. The joint body argued that the administration should have ensured job security and protected employee rights rather than putting their futures at risk with short-term agreements.
The committee further criticized the Acting Commissioner-General for continuing with these risky procedures without serious dialogue or responsible management of their consequences. They asserted that the future of thousands of workers and the rights of millions of refugees cannot be resolved through an email message or a contract lasting merely three months. The group demanded that the UNRWA administration guarantee job stability for the targeted employees and respect their contractual and professional rights.
In its statement, the committee held the Acting Commissioner-General fully responsible for the repercussions of this decision. They called for an immediate halt to these policies and urged the opening of serious dialogue with employee representatives and refugees. Furthermore, the committee stated that if the commissioner-general remains unable to protect the institution and safeguard the rights of its workers, he must resign. The group also warned that allowing this step to proceed would open the door to further measures targeting the agency’s human resources.
The committee appealed to host countries of Palestinian refugees to break their silence and take immediate action with the UNRWA administration and the United Nations to stop the decision. They issued an urgent call to the UN Secretary-General to intervene directly and hold the agency accountable for decisions threatening job stability. Additionally, the group invited Arab Employee Unions, national and Islamic forces, popular committees, trade unions, and civil society institutions to unite and act swiftly to thwart this decision.
This report was produced in the Gaza Herald newsroom.
