Fuel tankers block a road in Beirut during a general strike in January 2022 by public transport and workers unions over the country's economic crisis. (Credit: Anwar Amro/AFP)
BEIRUT — Land transport unions head Bassam Tleis on Wednesday announced a strike on June 23 to protest the deteriorating living conditions of the public transport drivers as the country plunges further into an unprecedented economic crisis.
Here’s what we know:
• In a press conference, Tleis criticized the caretaker government for not implementing an agreement he contends was made between the government and the union and aimed at improving the working conditions of public transport drivers.“Why isn’t the agreement promised by the government being implemented,” he asked.
• Tleis, who is affiliated with the Amal Movement, also congratulated Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri on his re-elected Tuesday. “We hope that this is a first blessing to continue achieving the constitutional deadlines which should be in line with the people’s, the workers’ and the drivers’ rights,” he said.
• On Feb. 3, Tleis announced the cancelation of the remaining two days of a three-day transport workers’ strike. At the time, Tleis said,“We will move towards steps of a different nature because our problem is with the government,” without specifying the nature of these steps.