The Faculty Union at the universities of Aden, Lahj, Abyan and Shabwa announced, on Thursday, the start of a comprehensive strike starting next Saturday, in an escalating step aimed at putting pressure on the government to achieve its living and academic demands.

The union confirmed, in an official statement, that the strike will continue until all its demands are met, which include returning salaries to the first item, disbursing them regularly with arrears, structuring wages and linking them to the hard currency rate, and addressing the deterioration of the currency and public services.

The unions stressed the need to settle the rights of academic appointees and administrative contractors, ensure the disbursement of faculty members’ lands and protect campus lands.

The statement called on faculty members to join hands and unite, stressing that the strike is a means of peaceful protest that rejects oppression and injustice, and aims to preserve the dignity of academics and guarantee their rights.

On the same day, the union announced the organization of a major protest in front of the United Nations headquarters in the Khor Maksar district, in the temporary Yemeni capital, Aden, next Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

She stated, in a statement, that this event represents a prominent step of escalation, and is expected to witness broad participation from academics and employees of the four universities, in addition to members of the General Federation of Trade Unions, including teachers, educators, and workers in various government and labor departments, as well as On behalf of civil society organizations, retirees, military and security personnel, which reflects the combined efforts of all segments of society.

The basic and university education sector is witnessing a noticeable escalation, as teachers’ unions in the governorates of Aden, Lahj, and Taiz announced the start of the strike from the beginning of next week, against the backdrop of delayed payment of their salaries for the third month in a row.

It is expected that the education sector will suffer complete paralysis in light of the ongoing union escalation, and the failure of the relevant government agencies to respond to their demands and develop solutions that would reduce the tension.