SCC Rallies across Lebanon, Lashes Out at Parliament’s Procrastination

The Syndicate Coordination Committee staged a rally on Tuesday near the Ministry of Education in Beirut's UNESCO area over the ongoing procrastination by officials to resolve the wage hike dispute.

“We have been protesting over the years and we are convinced that our demands are righteous but politicians only aimed at undermining our endeavors,” the SCC said.

Protesters reiterated calls on the state to “rectify the wage scale, which is their right.”

UNESCO's rally was accompanied by simultaneous demos across the country as private and public schools closed their gates at 12:00 pm to take part in the protest.

The SCC, which is a coalition of private and public school teachers and public sector employees, claimed that the state is neglecting its demands regarding the new wage scale despite all endeavors to resolve the dispute with Speaker Nabih Berri and the cabinet.

Parliament failed to discuss in October the wage hike draft-law, prompting Berri to return the bill to the joint parliamentary committees, which agreed to unify the new wage scale for public and private school teachers.

Instructors had held a rally near parliament to protest the exclusion of private teachers from the raise, demanding equality among teachers.

The SCC accused lawmakers of trying to create divisions among its members.

The salary hike has been at the center of controversy since it was approved by the government of ex-Prime Minister Najib Miqati in 2012. Several parliamentary blocs had refused to approve the draft-law over fears that it would have devastating effects on the economy.

The SCC had been holding demonstrations over the past three years to ask for the wage hike.

H.K.

M.T.