EAST JERUSALEM
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is pleased that the strike called for by the West Bank Field Office Area Staff Union (ASU) on 23 January has come to an end.
As of this morning, UNRWA staff on strike joined more than 400 other colleagues who had not been on strike. It is critical for UNRWA services to resume, including in schools, which provide education to more than 45,000 children across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
UNRWA management will engage in dialogue with the ASU on the way forward. A technical committee representing the Agency and the ASU will convene shortly to work together on resolving outstanding issues.
UNRWA highly appreciates the efforts of the Palestinian Authority, including The Department of Refugees Affairs (DORA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), represented by Dr. Ahmad Abu Holi. They were key in approaching and helping resolve a situation that was severely impacting the access of Palestine refugees to critical services.
The human rights and well-being of the refugees are at the center of any dialogue, and their access to services including health, education and social protection must always be prioritized over any other issue, at all times.
-ENDs-
Document Sources: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
Subject: Assistance, Refugees and displaced persons, West Bank
Publication Date: 09/02/2023
URL source: https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/official-statements/unrwa-west-bank-field-office-local-workers%E2%80%99-strike-ends-and-full