The General Conference of UNRWA Local Staff Unions, representing employees in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, the West Bank, Amman Headquarters, and Gaza Headquarters, has reaffirmed its rejection of any measures aimed at laying off employees or undermining their rights and financial benefits amid the Agency’s ongoing financial crisis.
In a statement issued on 7 November 2026, the Conference stressed that UNRWA employees should not bear responsibility for a financial crisis they did not create. It emphasized that any attempts to force staff to shoulder the burden of the Agency’s budget shortfall through layoffs or reductions in earned benefits are unacceptable.
The Conference voiced support for opening the option of voluntary early or deferred retirement, provided that employees receive their full legal and financial entitlements without reduction.
The statement also strongly rejected any delays in salary payments or deductions from employees’ wages. In addition, it opposed any use of the Staff Provident Fund to cover UNRWA’s financial deficit, stressing that these savings represent employees’ future security after retirement and must remain protected.
Furthermore, the Conference underscored that UNRWA’s financial difficulties should not be resolved at the expense of its workforce or the services provided to Palestine refugees, affirming that employees’ rights are not a tool for addressing budget shortages.
Reiterating its commitment to defending staff rights and preserving their hard-earned benefits, the Conference also emphasized the continued importance of UNRWA’s mission and services for Palestinian refugees until the realization of the right of return for the last Palestinian refugee.
Key Points from the Statement:
- Rejection of any employee layoffs or measures affecting staff rights and financial gains.
- Support for voluntary early or deferred retirement with full entitlements guaranteed.
- Rejection of salary delays or wage deductions.
- Opposition to using employees’ provident fund savings to cover UNRWA’s financial deficit.
- Emphasis that the financial crisis must not be addressed at the expense of employees or refugee services.
- Reaffirmation of UNRWA’s continued role in serving Palestinian refugees until the realization of their right of return.
