SCC Confirms Tuesday's Open-Ended Strike: We May Soon Be Forced to Occupy Ministries

The Syndicate Coordination Committee confirmed on Monday its open-ended strike, which is set for Tuesday, after the government's failure to refer the new wage scale proposal to parliament.

It warned that it may escalate its measures by occupying ministries if its demands are not met.

“The current government has demonstrated to all the people that it lacks credibility and it canceled today's cabinet session after being pressured by the Economic Committees,” it remarked.

The cabinet was expected to hold a session on Monday in order to address the new wage scale in an effort to avert Tuesday's action.

Prime Minister Najib Miqati said Monday that the government delayed referring the new wage scale draft-law to parliament in an attempt to secure the revenues without causing any budget deficit.

He stressed that the matter is linked to the economy and must be achieved without causing any negative repercussions on the society.

He called on the SCC to reconsider its decision to hold an open-ended strike on Tuesday.

“The government proved that it does not value the people's needs and it is making light of their dignity,” added the SCC.

“It will be held responsible for the repercussions of the open-ended strike,” it said.

The strike will kick off at Riyad Solh Square at 11:00 am and will be accompanied by a sit-in in front of the Grand Serail.

The SCC called on all employees, teachers, and contract employees to take part in Tuesday's strike, which will take place at all ministries, schools, municipalities, and public institutions.

Furthermore, it noted that the private sector will be harmed the most by the government's actions “because it is trying to separate it from the public sector.”

It also blamed the Economic Committees of pressuring the cabinet to cancel its session on Monday.

The Committees had strongly condemned on Saturday Miqati's decision to hold a cabinet session on Monday, saying that had retracted agreements he had reached with them and which were aimed at resolving the dispute over the funding of the new wage scale.

The cabinet has been stalling in finding sources to fund the scale that was approved last year, leading to growing differences with the SCC, which has been accusing it of negligence.

However, the government argues that it is delaying the decision on the funding in an attempt to thoroughly discuss plans to boost the treasury's revenue to cover the expenses of the salaries boost.

The state treasury will have more than $1.2 billion to cover over the presence of 180,000 public sector employees including military personnel.