Economic Committees Declare Total Rejection of Wage Scale Plan
The Economic Committees, a grouping of the country's businessmen and owners of major firms, on Thursday announced their rejection of “any decision issued by cabinet on the new wage scale,” warning that the government’s plan “will inflict heavy losses on the public and private sectors.”
Following an emergency meeting over “the consequences of the approval of the new wage scale on the economy and Lebanese people,” the Committees voiced “rejection of any decision issued by cabinet on the new wage scale, especially that the circulated numbers about its cost are totally unrealistic and would inflict heavy losses on the public and private sectors.”
The new wages will be paid in full, but over a five-year period, starting from July 1, said Prime Minister Najib Miqati. He added that some of the suggestions over the sources of the funding had been approved, while the remainder will be studied by Finance Minister Mohammed Safadi, reported LBCI.
The Syndicate Coordination Committee, a coalition of private and public school teachers and public sector employees, had held a nationwide strike on Thursday to protest the cabinet’s delay in approving the new wages scale.
The state’s treasury will have more than $1.2 billion to cover as there are over 180,000 public sector employees including military personnel.
The government plans to boost the treasury’s revenue to cover the expenses of the salaries boost through several proposals including the implementation of a hike on taxes on land parcels and sea properties.
The Economic Committees warned against “tampering with the economic security, which is as important as stability and civil peace.”
“The government’s imposing of further direct taxes on economic institutions and citizens will lead to an explosion. Thus, the only acceptable solution lies in implementing any increase in a gradual way and financing it through stopping the squandering of public money and sparing the economy any further burdens,” the Committees added.
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