Review of UNRWA salaries – Press release

     Statement by Cornelia Moussa, UNRWA’s Director of Human Resources regarding review of salaries

In February this year, UNRWA announced that it would undertake a review of staff salaries to compare them with those of government workers. At that time we explained that due to UNRWA’s financial deficit, it was not possible to make a commitment to increasing salaries.

The salary survey is now complete. It found that despite recent pay increases by the Government of Jordan, most UNRWA salaries are higher than those of government employees in comparable jobs. The survey found that for some categories of UNRWA health and sanitation workers, our salaries are below those of the government. We are committed to adjusting those in this category at the earliest possible opportunity, meanwhile staff salaries will remain under constant review.

UNRWA’s financial situation is extremely difficult. The Agency is facing an operational financial shortfall for 2009 of about $30million. In addition, many important activities remain unfunded and any additional expenditure at this time would further worsen an already critical financial situation. We continue to do everything within our power to obtain more funding from the Agency’s donors.

UNRWA remains committed to providing good conditions of service for Agency staff, with pay being an important element. In consultation with staff representatives a number of improvements to the current health insurance package have been negotiated. This will come at additional cost for the Agency and funding has to be identified from spending reductions in the Jordan Field Office and at HQ Amman.

I thank all staff for their continued hard work and commitment to the Agency and the refugees we serve. I look forward to working in partnership with staff representatives in a collaborative and constructive manner as we deal with salary issues in the future.

Ends

Christopher Gunness
UNRWA Spokesperson
Orange: +972-(0)54-240-2659
Jawwal:+972(0)588-942-8034
Office: +972(0)2-589-0267

Sami Mshasha
UNRWA Arabic Spokesperson
Mobile: +972-(0)54-216-8295
Office: +972 (0)2-589-0724