Cabinet Rejects Nahhas Wage Plan, Adopts 'Legalized' GLC-Committees Deal
The cabinet on Wednesday voted against the wage hike plan proposed by Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas, adopted instead a “legalized” version of the agreement reached at the Baabda Palace between the General Labor Confederation and the Economic Committees under Premier Najib Miqati’s sponsorship.
According to the approved plan, the minimum wage would become LL675,000 -- a sum that excludes transportation benefits -- while 100% increase would be added on the first bracket of salaries (LL400,000) and 9% on the second bracket.
Under the new decree, the cabinet also annulled a LL200,000 increase approved by the Saniora government in 2008 as well as any wage boosts granted starting January 1, 2010.
The dispute in the session revolved around the issue of transportation benefits, with Nahhas demanding that it be added to the basic salary.
The issue was then put to the vote of cabinet, with 19 ministers voting against Nahhas’ plan and 10 minister voting in favor.
The cabinet also tasked the labor minister with preparing a draft law under which the government would define the daily transportation allowance. Nahhas was also asked to submit a proposal on education benefits.
“The transportation allowance and education benefits will remain unchanged until this law is issued,” Information Minister Walid al-Daouq announced after the session.
Source: Naharnet
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