The headquarters of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education in Beirut. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — The committee of Employees of the Cooperative of Civil Servants announced in a statement on Tuesday a strike on Thursday "in affirmation of [the] unified stance against the policy of marginalization and disregard toward state employees." In the same context, employees of the South Governorate also announced later on Tuesday that they have begun a strike that would last until Friday July 5 inclusive.
On Monday, the League of Public Administration Employees had announced 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." The League added that the government's decision of increasing the salary of high-ranking officials reflects "unfair treatment", 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.
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 626.5 million Lebanese lira (LL) ($7,000) to LL 805.5 million ($9,000) per month.
"In line with the cry of colleagues in public administrations, and in affirmation of the unity of position against the policy of marginalization and indifference towards state employees, and in commitment to prevent the suffering of beneficiaries, the committee of Employees of the Cooperative of Civil Servants announces a full work stoppage on Thursday, July 3, 2025 only, in compliance with the general warning movement", reads the statement published on Tuesday.
"We call on all colleagues to fully abide by the decision to stop work, to emphasize our rights and dignity, and to reject the existing discrimination between workers in the public sector", the statement adds.
Later on Tuesday, employees of the South Governorate announced that they have begun a strike that would last until Friday July 5 inclusive to "speak out against the negligence and indifference of state officials towards the employee."
According to the statement, the strike includes the departments of finance, industry, economy, civil status, urban planning, energy and water, while other departments worked to conduct urgent affairs internally. The employees also warned of the consequences of continuing to marginalize their cause, as this will lead to further escalation, possibly culminating in an open-ended strike.
The head of the Department of Industry, Dr. Dheeb Hashem, speaking on behalf of the heads and employees of the governorate, considered that "the government's behavior of procrastinating on approving a salary scale that restores the value of employees' salaries is what pushes them to raise their voice."
"The ill-conceived concept of salary supplements which are tied to unreasonable conditions must come to an end. The so-called supplements are of little value and deprive those in service and retirees of their rights, knowing that there are those who are still earning far less than the meager minimum wage approved by the state for the private sector", he added.
According to Monday's statement released by the League of Public Administration Employees, the government's decision of increasing the salary of high-ranking officials reflects "unfair treatment", 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.
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.
