RAMALLAH, April 19, 2011 (WAFA) – The Union of Public Employees threatened Tuesday to escalate its protest action if the government does not meet its demands.

Bassam Zakarneh, head of the union, criticized the government handling of the employees’ demands warning that if this continues, it will increase tension in the relations between the government and union and lead to escalation in the protests.

He said the union is planning to meet government officials on Sunday to discuss the demands, expressing hope that the government will provide the union with clear answers otherwise the union will be forced to take action.

The demands include an immediate halt to random deductions from the employees’ salaries, paying transportation allowances according to the new pricing range, increase the percentage of the cost of living, and raise the risk premium for engineers and technicians, among other demands.

W.S/M.A.