GLC Suspends Strike, Refuses Cabinet Decision
The General Labor Confederation on Tuesday decided to suspend the strike that was scheduled tomorrow, expressing reservations over the Cabinet's decision along with the Economic committees.
“PM Miqati decided to increase 200,000L.L on the wages ranging from 500,000 and 1 million, and to increase 300,000 L.L on wages ranging from 1 million to 1.5 million as well as increase social services.” Information Minister Walid Daouk stated.
The head of the GLC Ghassan Ghosn announced that the confederation “suspended the strike, but did not cancel it,” expressing reservation on the Cabinet’s decision.
“Increasing the minimum wage to 700,000 L.L and the increase in the benefits are less than what we asked for,” Ghosn said.
The Economic committees rejected the cabinet’s decision, announcing that they are still committed to what they said to Speaker Nabih Berri regarding the 200,000L.L increase on the minimum wage and the 150,000L.L increase on the wages over 1 million “because the Lebanese economy cannot handle more than this increase,” President of the Chamber of Commerce Nehmat Frem said.
Ghosn had announced earlier that the nationwide strike will go ahead on Wednesday after it had initially been reported that an agreement had been reached over increasing minimum wages.
He made the announcement after the failure of negotiations between the GLC and the government after he held talks with Premier Najib Miqati at the Grand Serail.
Ghosn said: “We will go ahead with the strike until the situation is rectified.”
“Double standards are being applied,” he added.
“We wanted the increase in minimum wage to be cumulative and we had received positive signs that our proposals would be accepted, but it turned out that the package proposal was incomplete,” he stressed.
MTV had reported that the General Labor Confederation had suspended its strike after reaching an agreement to raise minimum wage by LL200,000, as well as increase social services.
Ghosn had held talks on Tuesday with President Michel Suleiman at the Baabda Palace and Speaker Nabih Berri at Ain al-Tineh.
He said he rejects the proposal of Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas to increase wages by 20 percent.
Ghosn also slammed business leaders for refusing a wage boost of more that 16 percent.
Representatives of the private sector have warned the government that meeting the demands of the GLC could compel companies to lay off workers.
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