Jumblat Criticizes 'Privatization' Bids of Electricity Sector

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat urged the energy ministry on Monday to implement “confinement” against Debbas Group, an Electricite Du Liban contractor, after failing to pay the salaries of its employees for over three months.

“Amidst the indifference of EDL officials and of Debbas Group, the staff have arrived at a state of hunger due to unpaid salaries for three months. I call on the Ministry of Energy to put the company in confinement,” said Jumblat in a tweet.

Jumblat, head of the Democratic Gathering bloc, added: “This is the policy of privatization they preached about.”

Contract workers have repeatedly protested against lack of long-term contracts, working conditions and late salary payments.

Calls for the privatization of electricity production in Lebanon in a bid to increase energy generation have all went in vain.