Lebanon braces for general strike

Unions are preparing for a strike on Thursday to protest a minimum wage increase they deem is "barely enough," organizers said.

The Union Coordination Committee (UCC) is pushing ahead with a strike that will see teachers and public servants protest in front of the Grand Serail in Beirut from 11am.

Unions are outraged by the Lebanese government's decision last week to pass a proposal by Prime Minister Najib Mikati for a modest minimum wage increase of 20 percent.

Workers complain it is nowhere near enough, citing high costs of living and poor economic performance in the country.

Organizers say the strike is a peaceful form of protest aimed at raising wages and living standards, as well as pushing for greater health coverage for the Lebanese people.

"The decision to hike wages is humiliating and the people have had enough with humiliation," the strike slogan reads.

Hanna Gharib, head of the UCC, accused the government of breaking its promise to increase wages and improve the standard of living.

"All the government promises were lies," he told Al-Akhbar.

Meanwhile, the General Labor Confederation (GLC) is planning a separate day of nationwide strikes and rallies on December 27 to protest Mikati's wage increase.

But the UCC has criticized the GLC's decision, accusing the latter of being a party to the government's decision.

"The General Labor Confederation was a partner in the decision, and they are involved with the government," Gharib said.

The wage increase was also slammed by Labor Minister Charbel Nahas who claimed on Wednesday that the cabinet did not discuss his wage proposal, instead opting directly for Mikati's plan.

"There was no discussion by the Cabinet on my proposal but instead the ministers listened to the verbal presentation made by Prime Minister Najib Mikati about salary amendments," Nahas said.

Nahas and members of the Change and Reform Bloc were the only ministers to vote against Mikati's plan, with Hezbollah's two ministers – a key ally – voting in favor.

Hezbollah's ministerial vote infuriated the Change and Reform Bloc, but also exposed divisions within Hezbollah's ranks, with the party's Trade Unions Unit slamming the cabinet decision.

(Al-Akhbar, NNA)