Qalqilya:Abdul Karim Haj Muhammad, head of the Arab Workers Union at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the West Bank, has issued a warning regarding the agency's financial policies. He revealed plans for employee layoffs and the potential closure of the UNRWA hospital in Qalqilya, raising concerns about diminishing services for Palestinian refugees and financial instability for families relying on the agency.
According to Maan News Agency, Haj Muhammad discussed these issues during an interview on the 'Good Morning' program, highlighting that UNRWA employees have faced unfair decisions since early 2026. He emphasized that the financial crisis afflicting the agency has taken on political dimensions, affecting workers who are not responsible for the funding shortfall.
Haj Muhammad detailed that the agency has reduced working days and services by 20% this year, impacting employee salaries and increasing the workload on health and educational institutions. He noted that reduced working days have not decreased patient numbers, further straining medical staff who are now handling up to 200 cases per day.
The union leader underscored the importance of human resources for UNRWA, stating that reducing staff would inevitably reduce services. He pointed to new trends in layoffs due to a $70 million financial deficit, questioning the necessity of such measures when alternative solutions with donor countries could be explored.
He provided statistics indicating that UNRWA employs 3,272 permanent staff in the West Bank, alongside over two thousand contract and temporary workers, with a total of about 28,000 staff across its operations. While no new dismissals have been enacted, past layoffs in Gaza and issues faced by employees leaving for Egypt have raised concerns about financial rights and end-of-service benefits.
Haj Muhammad disclosed information about threats to close the Qalqilya hospital, prompting union-led protest actions to defend health services and workers' rights. He announced plans for weekly events and engagements with international legal entities to protect workers and counter potential downsizing.
Recognizing UNRWA's role in the Palestinian refugee issue, Haj Muhammad stated the union's commitment to preserving the agency's operations while defending employee rights. He warned that continuing reduction policies could severely impact essential services and destabilize thousands of families depending on the agency.
Source Maan News Agency