Call for solidarity with the Federation of Unions of Palestinian Universities Professors and Employees sit-in and protests against the dismissal of three unionists
Since the beginning of April 2021, the Federation of Unions of Palestinian Universities Professors and Employees has engaged in a series of protest actions that include suspension of work in universities, strikes and sit-ins in front of the Ministry of Higher Education against the dismissal of three unionists by Al-Quds University, on the background of a labor dispute between the union and the university’s administration. According to the Federation, the three unionists have been dismissed by the university’s board of trustees after submitting demands on behalf of employees, and announcing a strike due to the lack of timely response by the university’s administration to their demands. The Labour Ministry had attempted to act as a mediator in the dispute after the demands had been submitted, but without success. So far, despite wide mobilization, all mediation attempts to solve the dispute have failed.
The dismissed unionists are Dr. Majdi Hamayel, President of the Al-Quds University Professors and Employees’ Union, Dr. Abdallah Al-Najajreh, the Secretary of the Federation of Unions, and Dr. Mohammed Amarneh, an Advisor and Law professor.
In its latest statement dated April 17, 2021, the Council of the Federation of Unions of Palestinian Universities Professors and Employees announced an escalation of its protests, as follows:
• A strike day on April 20, 2021 in Al-Quds University that includes online teaching and administrative work
• Suspension of work in all universities on April 21, 2021, from 10:00 a.m., with university professors and employees asked to join a sit-in in front of the Ministry of Higher Education and the Council of Ministers in Ramallah at 12:30
• General strike days in all universities on April 27-28, 2021 and May 3, 4, 5, 2021
The Federation of Unions of Palestinian Universities Professors & Employees is calling for wide solidarity and support with their demands and protests in order to ensure respect of the right to organize.
Democracy and Workers’ Rights Centre in Palestine
Headquarters: Ramallah, Al-Irsal, Masayef Compound, Emile Touma St.
Tel: 00 970 (0)2 2952608
Gaza office: Gaza Al-Rimal, Shuhada St, Hassaniyeh building
Tel: 00 970 (0)8 2849014
Skype: dwrc.palestine
