Berri Says Wage Scale Must be Approved Separate from Taxes

After a wave of protests rejecting the parliament's decision to impose a series of tax reforms in a bid to fund Lebanon's long-stalled wage scale, Speaker Nabih Berri said the pay scale must be approved “independently” from the controversial issue of tax suggestions, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Saturday.

“Efforts are underway as for the wage scale file, some important progress has been recorded in that regard,” Berri said in front of his visitors according to the daily.

However he stressed that the parliament “has nothing to do with the taxes and levies, these are the government’s responsibility. We don't accept to work within certain limits. What we care about as parliament is the approval of the wage scale, a righteous demand for the people, independently from the taxes issue.”

The Speaker did not disclose an exact date for a session dedicated to discuss the file, but assured that it is not distant, saying “before anything else, the salary scale is a right and must be approved.”

The parliament said it will approve a series of taxes in order to fund the new wage scale. The decision triggered dismay sending the people to the streets in protest.