Lebanon’s transport strike canceled after government reaches agreement with unions

The nationwide strike planned for Thursday by Lebanon’s land transport unions has been called off following an agreement between union leaders and the government, Bassam Tleis, head of the unions, confirmed to L'Orient Today Wednesday.

Tleis explained that a deal with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny ensures that the 300,000 LBP increase in fuel prices will be covered by the government for licensed public transport drivers, preventing a rise in transportation costs.

Tleis had initially announced the strike to protest recent government decisions earlier on Wednesday, including partial adjustments to civil servants' salaries and pensions funded by increased VAT and fuel prices. The planned protests were to gather at Martyrs' Square and include convoys heading toward Riad al-Solh Square from multiple locations across Beirut.

Union leaders, including Castro Abdallah of the National Union of Workers and Employees' Syndicates, had called for widespread participation from drivers, workers, retirees, and other vulnerable groups, criticizing the new taxes as disproportionately affecting those with limited incomes.

With the new agreement, unions have suspended their mobilization, emphasizing that public transport fares will not be increased before official government measures take effect.