Breakdowns in telecom networks have impacted the work of several sectors, including the medical and health sectors. Emergency lines across several public and private hospitals were no longer operational. (Credit: Joseph Eid/AFP)
BEIRUT — Caretaker Telecommunications Minister Johnny Corm said Thursday in a press conference that there would be no solution to the strike of Ogero employees "before next week," adding that he would make the necessary efforts to improve the working conditions of these employees who have stopped their activities since Tuesday.
Corm estimated that the strike will last, while many breakdowns affect the network in various regions of Lebanon in the grip of economic collapse. The network of cell phone operators Alfa and Touch are also affected.
"We are moving towards a solution, but it will take time, because I cannot take a decision alone," the minister acknowledged during a press conference after a meeting with Ogero's union employees that lasted more than four hours. "I will make efforts to obtain the necessary agreements to carry out what is required, hoping to get answers early next week," stressed Corm. "The union has presented four demands to devote additional budget to Ogero employees," he said, noting that the implementation of "three of these proposals is easy" while that of the fourth requires "consultation." He did not, however, detail these demands.
Strike maintained
"I have consulted with Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati. A point concerning the legitimacy of the proposals remains outstanding, and it is this point that we must resolve," explained the outgoing minister. "I am optimistic that we will reach a positive result," he added. Corm finally expressed the hope that "the majority of the claims will be implemented," noting that "nothing is impossible."
"I do not think that the union will lift the strike, but it seems to me that it will not weigh so much on the citizens," the minister said, without giving more details.
A source within Ogero confirmed to L'Orient-Le Jour on Thursday evening that the employees were not planning to return to work for the time being.
The activity of several sectors paralyzed
Breakdowns in telecom networks have impacted the work of several sectors, including the medical and health sectors. Emergency lines across several public and private hospitals were no longer operational.
In this tense context, the employees of Alfa and Touch operators went on strike between Thursday and Sunday to demand a salary increase. The president of the cell phone employees' union, Marc Aoun, told L'Orient Today that the union had suspended its strike for 48 hours from today after the employees and the management of both companies negotiated an "agreement." Aoun said he preferred not to disclose the content of this agreement so as not to jeopardize its validation at the ministerial level.