The Ministry of Justice. (Credit: NNA)
Lebanese judicial officers returned to work on Monday, after observing a strike that began on Feb. 1 to protest against the low value of their salaries. Over the past twenty days, courts and prosecutor's offices had ceased to function, leading to a lethargy of the judiciary which had been felt by litigants and lawyers alike.
"Following our meetings with the outgoing Minister of Justice Henri Khoury ... and the President of the Mutual Fund of Judicial Officers Joseph Tamer, and following the improvements that have been made to the fund ... we announce the suspension of our strike in the interests of continuity of public service and the interests of litigants," said a statement from the commissions of court officers. "Pending the decision of the Council of Ministers on salaries and remuneration in the public sector, of which we are a part, we will keep our sessions open," added the text.
From the start of their strike, the court officers had held several meetings with Judge Tamer and Minister Khoury, in an attempt to find solutions to improve their living conditions, which they consider deplorable. During these meetings, Khoury promised to find the necessary resources to feed their mutual fund.
This article originally appeared in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.