 RAMALLAH, West Bank - Many Palestinian government workers in the occupied West Bank took part in a one-day strike on Thursday, demanding wages that have not been paid for nearly four months. “If the government does not act to alleviate our suffering, then we will escalate our steps until we cause a comprehensive paralysis of the ministries,” said Bassam Zakarneh, head of the government employees’ union.
| Not that anyone can tell. Is the Gaza airport open? |
Workers at many ministries took part in the strike. But others from the departments of health, education, womenÂ’s affairs and labour did not participate. Zakarneh said the one-day strike could be extended if the government did not respond to workersÂ’ demands.
The employees’ union is dominated by members of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s Fatah faction, which was trounced by Hamas in January parliamentary elections. “I support the strike because it’s the only means to protest against the practices of the Palestinian government,” said Salam Ahmed, a Labour Ministry employee who took part in the strike in the West Bank city of Jenin. Ahmed said the government was “unable to meet the demands of its employees, mainly to provide bread for their families.”
| Maybe you guys should get jobs in the private sector. |
But Mohammed Abu Muhsen, who opposes the strike, said the workers should not blame the government. “We have to strike against those who are behind the siege,” he said.
| Funny, he didn't name the evil Jooooz. |
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