The chairperson of the UNRWA Inter Staff Union Conference (ISUC), Dr. Ayman Murad, recently released a statement directed towards Mr. Bassel Al-Hassan, the host of the Advisory Commission meeting on UNRWA, ahead of the AdCom held in Lebanon today.
In a statement received by Jordanian Labor Watch, the UNRWA Inter Staff Union Conference (ISUC) addressed the issue of UNRWA's outdated pay policy, emphasizing that it is unjust for local staff to continue suffering under such conditions.
The statement highlighted how the current policy fails to align with the present economic conditions, particularly in terms of disparities in compensation between UNRWA local workers in Jordan, the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Syria, and local workers employed by other UN agencies.
It further explained the detrimental consequences of these discriminatory wage policies on the livelihoods of local workers across UNRWA's operational areas, making it increasingly challenging for them to meet basic needs and maintain a decent standard of living.
The statement also attributed the strained relationship between unions and management to the prevailing pay policy.
To illustrate the situation, the statement presented a study comparing the salaries of Jordanian UNRWA employees with those of local workers in other UN agencies. The study revealed that UN employees performing similar tasks receive higher salaries, ranging from 50% to over 100% more.
Additionally, the study pointed out that the salary growth rate in UNRWA, with its 24 annual increases, amounts to a mere 40%. Consequently, after more than 30 years of service, an employee's salary would only be 40% higher than their initial salary on the first day of appointment.
The study also highlighted disparities in dependent allowances for children, newborns, and spouses.
In response to these issues, the statement proposed several principles for discussion, including the adoption of the local UN staff salary scale, monthly adjustments for the cost of living, and simplification of salary surveys.
It also called for the prompt implementation of the new salary policy rather than delaying it until the end of the year, collaboration with donor countries to secure support and funding for the new policy, and ensuring fair wages for employees.
The final principle emphasized rejecting financial deficits as an excuse to halt the implementation of the new salary policy.
Concluding the statement, the ISUC expressed deep disappointment about the missed opportunity to meet with the UNRWA AdCom in person and present these concerns face-to-face. However, they expressed confidence in advocating these principles to the Commissioner-General during the AdCom to address this critical need.