Cabinet Approves New Wage Scale as Discussions Continue over its Funding

Prime Minister Najib Miqati announced on Thursday the approval of the new wage scale, amid claims by various ministers that the issue had not been resolved, reported LBCI television.

It said that Ministers Wael Abou Faour and Mohammed al-Safadi had denied the premier's claims, saying that the new scale was not approved.

Minister Ahmed Karami revealed the news of the approval as he left the cabinet session, which was held at the Baabda Palace.

Acting Information Minister Abou Faour later confirmed to reporters the government's approval of the wage scale, adding that discussions will continue over the sources of the funding of the new wages.

“The National Struggle Front ministers did not voice reservations on the new wage scale and several blocs suggested that an agreement be reached over the sources of the funding before the approval of the scale,” he stated.

Ministers Samir Moqbel, Marwan Charbel, and Nazem al-Khoury voiced reservations on the new wage scale decision, he revealed.

The new scale will have a retroactive effect from July 1.

The new wages will be paid in full, but over a five-year period, starting from July 1, said Prime Miqati.

He added that some of the suggestions over the sources of the funding had been approved, while the remainder will be studied by Safadi, reported LBCI.

The Syndicate Coordination Committee, a coalition of private and public school teachers and public sector employees, had held a nationwide strike on Thursday to protest the cabinet’s delay in approving the new wages scale.

The cabinet session on Wednesday witnessed sharp debate between Hizbullah and AMAL Movement ministers and President Michel Suleiman, Miqati and National Struggle Front ministers, who are loyal to Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat, over the percentage of the new salaries increase for the public sector employees.

In an attempt to resolve divisions, a meeting was held on Wednesday night at the Grand Serail between Miqati, Economy and Trade Minister Nicolas Nahhas, AMAL’s Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil and Hizbullah’s Minister of Administrative Development Mohammed Fneish.

The state’s treasury will have more than $1billion and 200 million to cover as there are over 180,000 public sector employees including military personnel.

The government plans to boost the treasury’s revenue to cover the expenses of the salaries boost through several proposals including the implementation of a hike on taxes on land parcels and sea properties.