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SIT-IN

Striking civil servants plan a sit-in on Tuesday outside the Beirut port

Striking civil servants plan a sit-in on Tuesday outside the Beirut port

The logo of the League of Public Administration Employees. (Credit: NNA)

BEIRUT — Public administration employees in Lebanon, who have been on an open strike since June 13, plan to hold a sit-in on Tuesday in front of the Port of Beirut, the state-run National News Agency reported Sunday. Civil servants are calling on the state to implement measures to help them cope with the economic crisis, predominantly through an increase in salaries.

In a statement, the League of Civil Servants announced that it would continue its open strike, saying it was “determined” to obtain its “rights” and adding that a “central rally will take place Tuesday at 11 a.m. in front of the Port of Beirut.” The group also called on the other public sector unions to “participate massively.”

On Aug. 4, 2020, the Port of Beirut and many districts of the capital were ravaged by the explosion of a huge stockpile of ammonium nitrate that killed more than 220 people, injured 6,500 and displaced thousands more. A continuous postponement of a probe into the blast due to political maneuvering has left many reeling, leading to small protests and general anger among the population.

Last January, the government approved several measures to support civil servants, including an increase in transport allowances and exceptional aid, while Lebanon is suffering the worst financial and socio-economic crisis in its modern history. The national currency has lost more than 90 percent of its value, leading to a record inflation and pushing most of the population into poverty.

BEIRUT — Public administration employees in Lebanon, who have been on an open strike since June 13, plan to hold a sit-in on Tuesday in front of the Port of Beirut, the state-run National News Agency reported Sunday. Civil servants are calling on the state to implement measures to help them cope with the economic crisis, predominantly through an increase in salaries.In a statement, the League...