Tension Flares Up between SCC, Bou Saab as Differences Grow

The political arch-foes remained at loggerheads on Saturday over the new pay hike for public employees despite the intensive efforts to end the impasse with the Syndicate Coordination Committee that insists on boycotting the correction of official exams.

Education Minister Elias Bou Saab reiterated in comments published in al-Joumhouria newspaper that he rejects attempts by the SCC to control the future of students.

He criticized head of private school teachers syndicate Nehme Mahfoud, describing his recent statements as “lacks credibility.”

Mahfoud had accused Bou Saab of taking a decision to grant students passing statements without declaring the matter.

“I have previously informed the SCC that I will take any necessary decision (to reserve the rights of the student)... I delayed the matter upon their request,” Bou Saab told the newspaper.

He warned the SCC from holding onto a decision to boycott the correction of the exams, revealing that he will adopt the students' school grades to replace the official grades and will approve them.

“This decision is not 100 percent correct but at least it is fair for 90 percent of students,”

Asked if such a move would flare up tension with the SCC, Bou Saab stated that he “doesn't care about the ties with SCC more than taking the right decision.”

Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, who is the adviser of Speaker Nabih Berri, reportedly urged Bou Saab to adjourn his will to give students passing statements parties reach consensus over the matter in a period of ten days.

The SCC’s suspension of the exams correction had left Grade 12 students in disarray as they are awaiting the results to enroll in university while Grade 9 students, who underwent the Brevet exams, need to pass their tests in order to enter the secondary school.

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour, who is Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat's aide, expressed hope in comments to An Nahar newspaper that a breakthrough would be reached during next week's discussions.

“We (the PSP) support a balanced new wage scale that would achieve equilibrium between expenditures and revenues,” Abou Faour said.

He pointed out that the parliament shouldn't “jump into the unknown.”

Parliamentary blocs have continuously expressed their support for the employees' rights, but have warned that Lebanon's ailing economy would suffer if the total funding was not reduced from LL2.8 trillion ($1.9 billion) to LL1.8 trillion ($1.2 billion).

They have also disagreed on how to raise taxes to fund the scale over fears of inflation and its affect on the poor.

Their differences have been exacerbated by the boycott of the March 14 alliance's MPs of the sessions aimed at discussing the draft-law under the excuse that parliament should not legislate in the absence of a president.

The ongoing disputes between al-Mustaqbal and their rivals focuses on the possibility of increasing the value added tax from 10 to 11 percent.

On Friday, Khalil held talks with head of the Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun in Rabieh in presence of Bou Saab.

The officials discussed the latest consultations with the March 14 alliance, in particular al-Mustaqbal Movement.

H.K.