Workers worried as foreign donations decline

A Palestinian boy waits with his mother in Khan Younis, to register for travel to Egypt   Sitting on a coach surrounded by his three children, Yousuf Jodah, a Palestinian policeman flips through his money and wondering what he can do with only half of his salary. The government paid its employees only half their salaries this month because of a shortfall in foreign donations which it needs for its financial survival.
Yousuf said: "All I've received are a 1,000 shekels (Dh1,077). I have no idea how I'm going to manage since I have to pay for the grocery, the kids' fees and the rent."
The salaries are very important for the Gazan economy; there are around 70,000 employees in this sector whose salaries reach up to $130 million a month.
Mohammad Abd Al Hadi, who owns a vegetable shop in Al Saha, the old market, said: "We were waiting eagerly for the employees to receive their payments so they can buy their needs, but now most of the people only come asking about the prices."
Abd Al Hadi Added: "Now I have to decrease the prices to sell the vegetables in order to make sure it won't spoil."
When the Palestinian National Authority can't pay its employees the economic circle in Gaza almost stops since Hamas employees salaries are around $30 million a month and that's not enough to run the economy.
Omar Sha'aban, an analyst said: "The payment of half salaries will have a solid impact on the economy. Most employees have already taken loans from banks and are in the process of repaying. This crisis will remain till the next half of July payment is paid."
This is the second time in two months that the PNA has had difficulty paying salaries in Gaza and the West bank.
From gulfnews .