Al-Dhale’ pensioners demonstrate [Archives:2007/1071/Front Page]
By: Fuad Musa'd
For Yemen Times
Al-DHALE', July 25 ) Raising photos of Ali Salim Al-Biydh, former president of the now defunct People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, thousands of Al-Dhale' residents took part in a festival organized by the governorate's pensioners this past Tuesday. The festival was conducted in front of the Civil and Military Pensioners Association headquarters and was attended by representatives of satellite channels and media outlets.
In their speeches, military pensioners demanded a radical solution to problems faced by pensioners across the republic, hinting that the government turned a deaf ear to their legitimate demands.
A statement distributed during the festival, under the name of the “Southern governorates and areas,” denounced the irresponsible policies of what it called “Sana'a rulers” adopted since the 1994 civil war. Directed to the Arab leaders and states represented in the Security Council, the statement hinted such irresponsible policies would plunge Yemen into a dark tunnel and damage Arab regional and international security.
The statement further maintained that Sana'a rulers did not just dismiss the pensioners from their jobs but also exercised starvation policies over them through food and service price hikes. It noted that those coming from Sana'a looted the lands of southern Yemenis.
Chairman of the Pensioners Association Brig. Nasser Al-Noubah urged all people to participate in Aden's major peaceful festival scheduled for Thursday, August 2. He told all pensioners to attend the festival dressed in military uniform.
Deputy Head of the Pensioners Association Abdu Al-Matari explained that unity could not be fully achieved until southern Yemenis feel they are partners in this country. He stated, “We felt pain and bitterness when the luxurious cars passed by us carrying the families of northern officials to Aden to spend the Eid vacation, however, we do not ask for cars but for equality with our peers as for salaries and promotions.” Al-Matari further noted that the real unionist is the one who remains patient with a wrong policy for 13 years.
Intisar Khamis from the Yemeni Socialist Party condemned accusations directed at pensioners, accusing them of being secessionists. She assured they are against the wrong polices of the ruling party, demanding reformation of the unity track and reinstatement of those forcibly driven from their jobs.
In related news, the Cabinet during its Tuesday meeting approved measures aiming to resolve issues of pensioners and to reinstate those who were illegally driven out of their jobs in a way that will ensure optimal utilization of their specializations and abilities.
The Cabinet also approved the formation of committees headed by governors and including concerned authorities to look into the cases of unemployed pensioners and reinstate those who it is proven were illegally discharged from service as well as granting their rights in full.
Additionally, the Cabinet stressed the importance of abiding by the law and warned against exploiting the issue and damaging national unity and peace, hinting that unity is a red line which no one is allowed to jeopardize.
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