Yemen Observer: http://www.yobserver.com
Posted in:
Local News
Written By: Mohammed al-Kibsi and Elena White
Article Date: May 1, 2012 - 9:13:54 PM
Internet service was cut in Yemen from 10 to 12 am on Sunday in Yemen by Tele Yemen employees.
Disgruntled employees at TeleYemen, Yemen governmentally owned Telecommunication Company, which provides users with internet access and international phone calls services had warned that they would instigate a strike starting Sunday if their demands were not immediately met.
Several officials, amongst whom the deputy Minister for communication expressed his disappointment, stressing that at the current juncture the country, needed not more Union actions but rather a rallying of the troops around the government as to whether the multi-faceted crises.
Threatening to disrupt internet access by two hours on Sunday and all through this week with a total shut down on Saturday, TeleYemen employees are seriously jeopardizing vital national services, putting hundreds of businesses and professionals in a difficult position.
“Seriously?! We already suffered through electric blackouts and fuel penury, now the internet? If TeleYemen employees are having some issues they should seek alternative avenues, it got nothing to do with us, the public. Enough already with those strikes, Yemen needs to move forward not backward,” said Ahmed al-Wazeer a car dealer in Sana’a, the capital.
Nasser al-Manghary, a lawyer told the Yemen Observer that cutting such services was illegal and punishable by law. “The cutting of national services is contrary to the legal strikes code and employee could therefore be challenged on a court of law.”
Employees who are of course seeking an increase in salary and better work condition, have charged their Union to negotiate the terms of their demands with the relevant authorities.
While a ministerial committee is currently looking into the problem, no news of a breakthrough came yet. It is important to note that since Yemen is currently suffering a serious cash-flow issues, the state despite all its good will might simply not be able to meet its employees demand, struggling as it tis to meet tits short terms obligations.