General strike from July 1 to 4 to protest against wage inequality

The League of Public Administration Employees announced on Monday in a statement the holding of a general strike from Tuesday, July 1 to Friday, July 4 inclusive, denouncing the "persistent disregard of the government for [their] rights and [their] dignity." This work stoppage will continue progressively until they obtain "all of our rights," the statement said.

"Days go by, and the government remains deaf to the demands of public administration employees, even going as far as treating them as enemies," the collective said, which claimed to have tried everything to avoid an escalation. "We have always sacrificed our interests to maintain public service, but the cup is full."

'Unfair treatment'

This discontent among public sector representatives follows notably the signing of a decree last week by the government, approving a series of salary increases for a range of high-ranking officials, ranging from LL 626.5 million ($7,000) to LL 805.5 million ($9,000) per month.

A decision that reflects "unfair treatment" according to the unions, while some civil servants still earn just barely the equivalent of $500 per month and the entire state workforce has so far recovered only 25 percent of their pre-crisis salaries on average. The statement also highlights the adoption of supplemental credits for the judiciary and the Lebanese University, which, according to them, contradicts Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's government's claims of being unable to fund an equitable salary grid.

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Cabinet approves 50% raise in minimum wage

Plunged into a severe economic and financial crisis since 2019, Lebanon has seen its national currency collapse, leading to an erosion of salaries and purchasing power, as inflation has soared. Before the crisis, the minimum wage was LL 675,000 – approximately $450 at the official rate of LL 1,507.5 per dollar.

On Friday, June 27, however, the government approved a 50 percent increase in the minimum wage, raising it to LL 28 million ($312, an increase of 56 percent), starting next month. But this increase is also deemed insufficient by many unions.

The president of the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers (CGTL), Beshara al-Asmar, had notably advocated for a raise to LL 50 million (about $550), while accusing the government of focusing solely on the minimum wage, without reviewing the entire salary grid.