SCC Goes ahead with Open-Ended Strike, Amplifies Rhetoric

The Syndicate Coordination Committee slammed on Thursday the cabinet of Prime Minister Najib Miqati, vowing to continue its open-ended strike until the new wage scale is referred to the parliament.

“We will rise on Monday, students and teachers will unite in all schools,” head of Public Secondary School Education Teachers Association Hanna Gharib said during a protest near the tenders administration building in Beirut's Verdun area.

He lashed out at Miqati, who argued that referring the salary scale was delayed due to the slow economic growth.

“Not referring the scale decreased the economic growth,” Gharib said.

The SCC, a coalition of private and public school teachers and public sector employees, which has been holding an open-ended strike for the past 16 days, is demanding the government to boost the salaries of the public employees accusing it of procrastination.

On Tuesday, President Michel Suleiman said at a cabinet session that the government will start meeting on March 21 to discuss ways to fund the scale.

Gharib also criticized Industry Minister Vrej Sabounjian, accusing him of threatening to fire employees who abide by the strike.

Gharib called on the protest committees formed in ministries to become independent and acting syndicates to confront corruption.

“We are keener to safeguard the state's treasury than you are,” he said.

Head of the Economic Committees Adnan Kassar said later in the day after talks with President Michel Suleiman the committees rejection to referring the new wage scale to the parliament as it will have negative repercussions on the economy.