GLC Insists on Revising Wage Package without Resorting to Cabinet

The General Labor Confederation was on Monday eager to go ahead with its plans to pressure the government into revising the salary package that it adopted last week.

GLC chief Ghassan Ghosn told Voice of Lebanon radio station (93.3) that there are “legal loopholes” in the decree that will be referred to the cabinet for final endorsement after it approved the salary boost last week.

The cabinet raised the LL500,000 minimum salary to LL700,000, approving to give those who earn less than 1 million a LL200,000 raise. Those earning between LL1 million and LL1.8 million would get a LL300,000 increase.

“Why would we go back to the cabinet to resume the dialogue from the starting point if we could revise the deficiency linked to the wage boost,” Ghosn asked.

His remarks came after Premier Najib Miqati said that a change in the salary package requires a new government decision, which is an unlikely move.

The GLC chief reiterated that workers earning more than LL1.8 million should receive a LL300,000 raise.

Ghosn is on Monday scheduled to meet with Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas, who will also hold talks with the Economic Committees led by former Minister Adnan Kassar.

The Committees that include top business leaders have rejected to abide by the government’s decision on the wage boost, saying they could lose their businesses or even lay off workers if they increase the salaries of their employees.

Ghosn stressed that the GLC hasn’t ended its contact with the Economic Committees over their conflicting demands.

He also told VDL that a strike planned by teachers syndicates on Wednesday has its characteristics and the GLC supports all righteous demands of labor groups.