Mustaqbal MPs Criticize 'Disastrous' Wage Hike Draft, Say Won't Push Lebanon into Bankruptcy
Al-Mustaqbal bloc on Monday announced that it will not take part in “pushing the country towards bankruptcy,” hinting hence that its MPs will boycott a parliamentary session dedicated for voting on the new wage scale draft law scheduled for Tuesday.
Bloc head MP Fouad Saniora explained after an extraordinary meeting at the Center House that the new wage scale draft in its current format has “disastrous” consequences on the state's finances.
“If adopted in its current format, the draft will increase the imbalance of public finances, it will influence the purchasing power and might drive the country into inflation,” a released statement read by Saniora said.
It added: “The proposed draft does not tackle serious revenues or provide the needed amounts to fund the new wage scale... It does not deal with reforms, control squandering and corruption, and it includes expenditures and wage hikes without any noteworthy improvement in the types of services citizens receive.”
"The deficit is a financial index and Lebanon has striven for years to get out of this impasse. More than ever, Lebanon needs to get out of its recession and this is the only safety boat for its economy,” the MPs considered.
And the Budget does not include the new wage scale's costs, which are still unknown and may raise the deficit, they noted.
Accordingly, the conferees declared that adopting the new wage scale draft is a “hasty step that will have disastrous consequences on citizens' livelihoods.”
“The bloc will not agree on driving Lebanon towards bankruptcy and turning it into a failed state,” said Saniora.
The MPs also lamented “turning students and families into hostages and using exams as a tool to achieve demands.”
“There are attempts to drive the country towards deterioration for hidden political goals,” they said.
Separately, al-Mustaqbal bloc also discussed the presidential vacuum, reiterating its support for Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in the race for office.
“The bloc considers that the maneuvering of the March 8 alliance, not announcing its candidate, and obstructing the (electoral) sessions are harmful matters that contribute to obstructing this important constitutional juncture and pave the way for foreign interference that subjects it to dangers,” Saniora said.
It also urged “all parties to think of serious steps" to overcome the presidential vacuum.
S.D.B.
Y.R.
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