UNRWA union to suspend work Sunday

The workers union of UNRWA announced Wednesday that it will suspend work next Sunday in protest of an investigation into the political affiliations of six employees. The union said in a statement that the administration continues to "spread fear" among its employees. They do not feel safe on a personal level nor do they have any sense of job security, the statement said. The employees added that they have sent a letter to the agency's administration insisting that job security is the first priority, but they were surprised when the two employees were dismissed. During the past week, six UNRWA employees in Gaza were invited to meet with the agency's leadership in Amman, but the executives turned out to be "investigators" looking into their backgrounds, the union said. The employees said they reject such investigations and any decision taken by this committee. They called on all employees to refuse instructions to appear before the panel. UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness said the agency "regularly reviews staff performance and compliance with rules and regulations and these meetings are related to such reviews." The UN agency provides assistance for Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.