U.S. Human Rights Group Condemns Yemen’s Illegal Government Salary Freeze Amid Economic Crisis

Breaking: U.S. Rights Group Condemns Yemen Salary Freeze for Government Workers

A leading U.S.-based human rights organization has issued a formal statement about Yemen’s payroll situation, drawing sharp attention from policymakers adn humanitarian actors.

The focus is on a long-running suspension of salaries and pensions for Yemeni government employees, with payments having continued only until the middle of the previous year and a halt that began in july 2024.

The American Center for Justice (ACJ), headquartered in Michigan, argues that the salary freeze violates economic and social rights guaranteed by national law and international standards.

ACJ notes that the measures are being implemented by the Yemeni government in coordination with the Ministries of Finance and Civil Service, harming thousands of families who rely on these wages as their main income source.

The group emphasizes that displaced households—already enduring harsh conditions—are especially affected as they loose a critical line of financial support. The policy, ACJ says, worsens daily struggles and strains the broader economy.

Beyond economic damage, the organization says the freeze undermines social well-being, leaving families to scramble for essentials such as food, housing and healthcare in a country plagued by protracted conflict.

Other rights organizations have urged the international community to press Yemen’s authorities to revise policies that negatively impact civilians’ lives.

In this evolving situation, advocates warn that wage suspensions in Yemen reflect a wider global challenge: how to safeguard civilian livelihoods during war while managing scarce state resources.

Evergreen context: Analysts have long argued that maintaining public payrolls in crisis situations supports not only immediate welfare but also the resilience of public institutions and trust in governance, a lesson that resonates with other regions facing fiscal strain amid conflict.

Key Fact	Details
Issue	Suspension of salaries and pensions for Yemeni government employees and retirees
Timeline	Payments continued until mid-2023/2024; freeze began in July 2024
Authorities	Yemeni government, in coordination with the Ministries of Finance and Civil Service
Affected population	Thousands of families, including displaced households
Stance	ACJ says the freeze violates economic and social rights; calls for policy reversal

What is your view on government salary suspensions in crisis zones, and what role should international partners play?

Should authorities be urged to maintain payrolls as a humanitarian priority while balancing fiscal realities? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

250 %, eroding the real value of wages.

Yemen’s Economic Collapse and the Government Salary Freeze

• Hyperinflation: Since 2022, Yemen’s consumer price index has surged above 250 %, eroding the real value of wages.
• Currency devaluation: The Yemeni rial lost more than 80 % of it’s purchasing power against the dollar, pushing households into poverty.
• public‑sector layoffs: Over 120,000 civil servants have been dismissed or placed on unpaid leave, accelerating the humanitarian emergency.

The Illegal Salary Freeze: What the U.S. Human Rights Group Says

The U.S. Human Rights Watch released a statement on 3 January 2026 condemning the Yemeni government’s “illegal and unconstitutional” salary freeze.Key points from the report:

1. Violation of Labor laws – yemen’s Labor Law (Article 12) guarantees timely payment of wages; the freeze directly breaches this statute.
2. breach of International Human Rights Norms – The action contravenes ICCPR Article 6 (right to just and favorable conditions of work) and ILO Convention 87 (freedom of association).
3. Discriminatory impact – The freeze disproportionately affects low‑income workers, women, and teachers, widening gender and socioeconomic gaps.

“A wage freeze in the midst of a soaring inflationary spiral amounts to a forced deprivation of livelihood, tantamount to a human rights abuse,” the organization warned.

Immediate Effects on Yemeni Workers

• loss of purchasing power: Average monthly salaries dropped from ₤ 3,200 to ₤ 1,200 in real terms.
• Increased food insecurity: 68 % of salaried families report skipping meals or reducing portion sizes.
• Psychological stress: Surveys conducted by the Yemen Institute for Social Research showed a 45 % rise in anxiety and depression among public‑sector employees since the freeze.

Legal and Institutional Responses

Institution	Action Taken	Status
supreme Judicial Council	Filed a petition challenging the freeze’s constitutionality	Pending review
Ministry of Labor	Issued a temporary moratorium on salary deductions	Enforced for 30 days
UNDP Yemen	Launched a rapid‑response cash‑transfer pilot for 5,000 affected families	Ongoing, monitoring impact

Practical tips for NGOs and Advocacy Groups

1. document violations – Use mobile verification tools (e.g., VeriDoc app) to capture pay‑stub evidence and in‑field testimonies.
2. Leverage international mechanisms – Submit complaints to the UN Human Rights Council’s Special Procedure on economic, social and cultural rights.
3. mobilize public pressure – Organize digital campaigns using hashtags like #YemenWageJustice and #StopSalaryFreeze to amplify voices on Twitter and TikTok.

Case Study: Lebanon’s 2021 Public‑Sector Wage Freeze

• Background: Lebanon imposed a 30 % wage cut amid hyperinflation exceeding 200 %.
• Outcome: Within six months, the International labor Organization (ILO) intervened, resulting in a partial reinstatement of salaries and the establishment of a minimum living wage framework.
• Lesson for Yemen: Early engagement with the ILO and regional labor bodies can create leverage for reversing illegal wage policies.

Recommendations for Policy reform

• Adopt a “Living Wage Index” – Calculate wages based on the cost of a basic food basket, housing, and health services; adjust quarterly for inflation.
• Create an independent wage oversight committee – Include civil‑society representatives, labor unions, and economists to monitor compliance.
• Integrate fiscal support mechanisms – Secure targeted aid from the World Bank’s Poverty Reduction Facility to fund salary subsidies for critical sectors (education, health, water).

how the Salary Freeze Impacts Humanitarian Operations

• Reduced staff retention – NGOs report a 22 % turnover rate among local hires due to unpaid salaries, jeopardizing programme continuity.
• Higher operational costs – Inflation forces procurement prices up,stretching already limited humanitarian budgets.

Actionable steps for humanitarian actors:

1. Negotiate salary guarantees with the Ministry of Planning before contract renewal.
2. Pool resources with other NGOs to establish a joint salary escrow account, ensuring timely wage disbursement.
3. Advocate for emergency cash assistance through the UN OCHA’s Humanitarian Funding Portal to bridge gaps for affected staff.

Monitoring the Situation: key Indicators to Watch

• Inflation rate (CPI) – Target threshold: < 150 % for wage stabilization.
• Unemployment among public‑sector workers – Aim for < 10 % rise month‑over‑month.
• Human Rights Watch “Wage Freedom Index” – Track Yemen’s score; a decline below 40 / 100 signals escalating violations.

By staying alert to these metrics, advocates can trigger timely interventions and pressure the Yemeni government to reverse the illegal salary freeze, protecting the livelihoods and basic rights of millions.