Demonstrators burned tires in Saida on Tuesday to show their anger over the deterioration of living conditions in Lebanon. (Credit: Mountasser Abdallah/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — Labor unions, including the land transportation unions, will commence a general strike Thursday. The groups’ “day of anger” will run from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. General Confederation of Lebanese Workers head Bechara al-Asmar warned in a news conference that the strike “will be extended to other days if officials do not implement agreements” on increasing workers’ allowances.
Here’s what we know:
• The news conference began with a speech by Asmar in which he pointed out that “many agreements have been made with officials on public sector and transport allowances, none of which has been implemented despite the approval of the prime minister in the presence of the concerned ministers.”
• Asmar addressed all Lebanese, and called for “intensive participation in all Lebanese regions to raise the voice on officials’ disregard about people's lives.”
• For his part, Bassam Tleis, head of land transportation unions, thanked “all the unions supporting the day of anger, especially the leadership of the General Labor Union, the farmers' union, the public truckers’ union in Beirut port, the school van union and the teachers' unions in private schools.”
Gathering sites for the strike in Beirut are as follows:
Dora roundabout
Beirut sea route
Galerie Samaan intersection
Mar Mikhael Church intersection
Msharafieh intersection
Kafaat roundabout
The triangle of Khaldeh
Bachamon-Armoun junction
Reggi-Hadath junction
Hadath-Kafaat intersection
Old Airport Road
Sports City
Barbir bridge
Barbir tunnel
Beshara al-Khoury intersection
Beshara al-Khoury tunnel
Mazraa-Cola junction
The UNESCO triangle
Mkalles roundabout
Antelias - Faouar
Nahr al-Mot triangle
Ozai Triangle