A notice announcing the strike by employees at the Saida Government Serail reads: "We apologize for the suspension of the receipt and processing of applications, transactions, and declarations on Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3." (Courtesy of Muntasser Abdallah/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — The Public Administration Employees Association began a two-day warning strike on Thursday to protest "the government’s continued failure to address salary and workplace demands," the state-run National News Agency reported Thursday.
Employees at Saida's Serail joined the strike, according to our correspondent in the South. A notice posted at the entrance read: “We apologize for the suspension of the receipt and processing of transactions and declarations on Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3.”
The Public Administration Employees Association warned this could escalate into an open-ended strike in the coming weeks if authorities do not respond to its demands.
Shawki Mteirek, head of the Administrative Department in the South Lebanon Governorate, said employees are calling for a new salary scale, to be paid the salary increases approved by Cabinet in February, and for higher transportation allowances to match rising fuel costs. He described the strike as a “warning” to the government.
Laura al-Sen, head of the South Branch of the Employees’ Cooperative, said participation was complete, with all administrative transactions suspended and the electronic system shut down by central administration.
She also questioned the “fate of the funds collected to finance public sector salary increases,” saying employees’ living conditions have become increasingly difficult. She added that workers are demanding salary adjustments that would allow them to cover their living expenses through the end of the month.
Salaries in the public sector remain one of the government’s most pressing challenges. Wages have failed to match inflation, while the civil service continues to face criticism over its size, cost, and inefficiency. Before the economic crisis, public sector salaries accounted for roughly one-third of the state budget, about $15 billion. The total number of civil servants, including security forces, is estimated between 200,000 and 300,000.
Reporting contributed by our correspondent in the South, Muntasser Abdallah
