Public Sector Employees’ Association Presents Demands to Nabih Berri
On Thursday, the Public Sector Employees’ Association in Lebanon announced that a delegation, led by Walid Jaaafar, met with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. The delegation included representatives from the association, judicial assistants headed by Joseph Talj, and contractors. The primary aim was to present a list of joint demands, in collaboration with the Public Sector Associations’ Assembly, focusing on improving living and administrative conditions.
Key Demands and Discussions
The core of the demands revolves around rectifying salaries and wages. The proposal suggests providing 50% of the salary value at the start of 2026, with a gradual increase of 10% every six months. The goal is to reach 100% of the salary value as it was in 2019 (based on an exchange rate of 1500 L.L.), ensuring employees can live with dignity. Additionally, the association seeks to correct family allowances. This demand is considered a temporary measure until a new salary scale is approved, linked to the inflation index and ensuring justice and stability.
Regarding specific demands related to the public sector, the delegation addressed:
- The need to ease the unfair perseverance conditions imposed on employees.
- The importance of including all contractors in the public administrations under the Civil Service Council for retirement regulations.
- Amending the law related to Decree No. 5240-2001 to include all contractors.
- The necessity of transparency and fairness in appointments, based on seniority and competence.
Judicial assistants also presented issues related to their sector, especially the perseverance conditions and their impact on the judicial holiday. President Berri showed significant interest in the presented demands.
Meetings and Future Steps
During the meeting, Berri insisted that the association meet with the Minister of Finance as soon as possible, contacting him immediately to emphasize the need for an urgent meeting. Following his call, the Minister of Finance received the delegation, and a positive meeting took place to discuss the perseverance conditions. The minister expressed his readiness to amend them and include representatives from the association in meetings scheduled for early next week to discuss salary corrections and social benefits, with a deadline of Tuesday.
The association also met with several parliament members, presenting the same demands and conveying their voice to the Parliament. Further meetings are planned with heads of parliamentary blocs to follow up on these demands until they are achieved. The association emphasizes its continuous follow-up on all listed demands, coordinating with all relevant parties to reach practical and fair solutions that preserve the dignity of employees and the continuity of the public service.
Source: Annahar
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