Shura Council Approves Nahhas’ Wage Plan, Conditions Amendments

The Shura Council approved on Wednesday the new wage hike proposal made by Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas on condition of introducing amendments to it.

The Council conditioned some modifications to the decision that was submitted by Nahhas, who didn’t put his proposal to vote at the cabinet yet.

Head of the Shura Council Judge Shukri Sader told Voice of Lebanon radio (93.3) that “the council had comments on the transportation allowance article.”

“We urge officials to take into consideration our modifications,” he said.

The new proposal of Nahhas, who is loyal to Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, suggests a 100 percent increase on the first bracket under LL1 million and 25 percent on the second bracket above LL1 million. But LL200,000 will be deducted from the wages due to the raise approved by the government in 2008, which indicates that the new minimum wage will be LL800,000.

However, the minister’s proposal flared up controversy after he refused to approve a deal sponsored by Prime Minister Najib Miqati between the General Labor Confederation and the Economic Committees at the Baabda Palace for lacking the “legal terms.”

They agreed in December to set the minimum wage at LL675,000 – a sum that excludes the transportation allowance.

The dispute is mainly on whether the new wage hike would include the transportation allowance.

The Shura Council’s verdict was issued as the price index committee is expected to hold a meeting on Wednesday at 4:00 pm.