Gazans' unpaid salaries cause rise in social tensions
The continuing Gaza government employee salary crisis is causing increased social issues for those affected, with debts accumulating fast and heads of households suffering socially.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Gaza government employee salary crisis is having a severe negative impact on the social relationships of those affected. The main victims are the employees who find themselves unable to meet their families’ food needs, as debts keep accumulating and creditors demand repayment.
Nearly 42,000 employees were hired by Hamas in the Gaza Strip between 2007 and 2014. They suffer challenging living conditions as the consensus government has been withholding their salaries since it took office in June 2014.
Social expert Dardah al-Chaer told Al-Monitor that most employees are now in debt because of the salary crisis and the continuing internal political division. They have been forced to adjust their social habits to avoid embarrassing situations with creditors.
“The employees are finding ways to escape creditors, in addition to being isolated and secluded, which have harmed the social behavior of the employees and their families. They prefer not to engage with others,” Chaer said.
