When the salary becomes embers...!

Amid a complex political and economic landscape, employees are experiencing one of the worst living crises since the establishment of the Palestinian Authority. Since 2021, their salaries have not been received in full, or even on time. Delays and deductions have become the norm. It is no exaggeration to say that this has become the "normal" situation, especially with the continued disbursement of salaries at a rate not exceeding 70 percent, or sometimes less. The Authority attributes this deterioration to an unprecedented decline in foreign aid, the occupation's withholding of "clearance" funds as a punitive measure, and the government's inability to find alternative or stable sources of funding, which further widens the gap between employees' aspirations and the Authority's promises.

Historically, salaries have been the backbone of the economy for tens of thousands of families, for at least the past three decades. Nearly a quarter of a million people and their families directly benefit from them, including employees, retirees, and those who receive (or used to receive) monthly allowances, which they relied on to secure their basic needs. However, the high cost of living and the erosion of purchasing power due to the continuous global rise in the prices of strategic commodities, as well as the imposition of additional and new taxes and fees, have turned salaries into a desperate attempt to secure the minimum necessities of life.

At the same time, employees do not view this crisis - and its predecessors - as solely the result of external factors, but rather as a combination of internal factors whose effects have accumulated over the years. Mismanagement of public funds and the absence of real oversight have contributed to its exacerbation and its predecessors. Images of privileges and expenditures on unnecessary items, or appointments based on political loyalty rather than competence, are almost never absent from our minds or social media. All of this occurs while employees, and Palestinians in general, are repeatedly asked to prepare for battles of austerity, tighten their belts, or exercise beautiful patience. These demands seem to them to be a luxury and theory, rather than a tangible reality in the behavior of those calling for them and the details of their daily lives.

Today, while Gaza is under fire, suffering from killing, starvation and siege, some professional unions have begun to gradually escalate. Recent days have witnessed partial strikes carried out by some medical unions, while others have threatened to take similar steps, and demands from a third group, especially in the education sector and other public sectors, to engage in similar demands. According to estimates, the continued aggression on Gaza is almost the only factor delaying this, and the moment a ceasefire is announced, it could be the spark for wider protests, sit-ins and demonstrations, a scene that could threaten to exacerbate the situation at an accelerated pace.

It is no secret to the observer that the relationship between the authorities and the unions has always been marred by hidden tension. The authorities have previously interfered in the formation of union councils, openly or behind the scenes, and have exploited some of them as tools in the internal political conflict, especially after the 2006 elections, or during the years of division that followed them and up until today. They have also dispensed with others after they had exhausted their duties. This legacy of interference, politicization, and the “securitization” of the union file has caused many to lose confidence that these unions – in their current form – are capable of protecting the rights of their members without compromise or dictates.

Therefore, the continuation of this crisis is likely to leave social repercussions that go beyond an incomplete salary, to reach more general frustration and a sense of blocked horizons. Perhaps the most dangerous aspect of the situation is that an employee who does not trust a promise from a decision-maker, nor the ability of a union, may eventually find himself forced to take to the streets, unless real and urgent measures are taken to restore confidence, demonstrate seriousness in controlling expenses, hold the corrupt accountable, and enhance transparency. At that point, what is coming will be heavier than anyone can bear, without exception.

The employee asks for nothing more than the bare minimum of dignity, within his home and with his family. It is a seemingly simple demand, but it is difficult to achieve in light of the accumulating crises and policies that offer nothing but deferred promises. However, the fear is that his demand will turn into a cry of anger, one that goes beyond the limits of a silent complaint, one that cannot be evaded or circumvented.