Abboud Supports Revival of Economic Committees-GLC Deal on Wage Boost

Tourism Minister Fadi Abboud called on Monday for the revival of a deal reached between the Economic Committees and the General Labor Confederation on the minimum wage or for adjusting the cabinet’s decision.

In remarks to Voice of Lebanon radio station (100.5), Abboud said: “We could either revive the agreement reached between the Economic Committees and the GLC or the roadmap put by (Labor Minister Charbel) Nahhas for more realistic numbers that go along with the economic situation in the country.”

Abboud was among the first critics of Nahhas’ wage hike proposal although both ministers are from MP Michel Aoun’s Change and Reform bloc.

The cabinet approved the proposal last month. It calls for raising the minimum wage to LL868,000 from the current LL500,000 – a sum that includes a LL236,000 transportation allowance.

The government green light came despite an agreement reached between the Economic Committees and the GLC to set the minimum wage at LL675,000 without the transportation allowance.