Unions set Tuesday deadline for action over VAT, fuel hikes as anger mounts

BEIRUT — Public sector associations, transport unions and Ogero employees have given the government until Tuesday to revise its decision to raise VAT and fuel prices, warning that failure to do so will trigger street protests and potential strike action next week.

This comes as opposition mounts on the government’s decision, adopted Monday evening, to raise VAT by one percentage point and increase gasoline prices by 300,000 Lebanese lira in order to finance salary increases for active and retired civil servants and military personnel.

The “Public Sector Associations – Military and Civil Servants” announced that they are keeping their meetings open to assess the government’s decision to grant six additional salaries to public employees, warning that the measure falls far short of their longstanding demand to fully restore regular wages, salaries and pensions in line with justice and equality standards.

In a statement, the associations stressed they are prepared to take “all legitimate steps,” including street action within legal frameworks, to secure what they describe as a dignified standard of living for civil servants, military personnel and retirees.

For his part, the president of the Unions and Associations of the Land Transport Sector, Bassam Tleiss, told Lebanon Debate on Wednesday "we have given ourselves a deadline until next Tuesday to reach a formula that satisfies both citizens and drivers; otherwise, we will start street protests next Thursday."

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Similarly, the General Union of Employees and Workers of the International Wire and Wireless Communications in Lebanon — Ogero — declared that Tuesday will be a “day of anger and rejection,” with a gathering scheduled at 10 a.m. at its main center in Bir Hassan.

In its statement, the union reiterated several demands, including amendments to Article 49, guarantees protecting compensation and benefits — particularly those linked to Law 161 — the regularization of temporary workers, and the preservation of the health fund.

'Worst decision the government has taken so far'

On Wednesday and Thursday employees in the Saida Serail, suspended work in line with the Association’s call, denouncing what they described as unfair measures that shift the burden onto citizens and low-income workers.

Zgharta MP Michel Moawad on Wednesday criticized the tax hikes, calling them “the worst decision the government has taken so far.” Speaking from Parliament, he argued that state revenues should come from structural reforms rather than new taxes, stressing that there can be no sustainable spending without economic growth and reforming the size and role of the public sector. He also called for confronting tax evasion, smuggling and the black economy, warning that without stability and reform, investment and growth will remain out of reach.