The head of the Union of Workers and Employees’ Syndicates of North Lebanon, Chadi Sayed, during a sit-in in Tripoli, on Sep. 26, 2026. (Credit: NNA)
Amid growing public discontent in Lebanon in recent days, particularly over rising fuel prices, members of the Union of Workers and Employees’ Syndicates of North Lebanon demonstrated Saturday at Abdel Nasser-Tell Square in Tripoli, joined by unionists and employees from the public and private sectors. The protesters, along with bus drivers, blocked access to the square.
’’We are organizing a warning sit-in because of the high cost of living. We call on the president of the transport unions, who is currently negotiating support for public transport drivers, to ensure that this support is paid immediately and monthly. We demand assistance for these drivers and for all public and private sector employees. We also call for a transportation allowance and an end-of-service indemnity,’’ union president Chadi Sayyed said, according to the official National News Agency, or NNA.
’’The labor minister has promised us an end-of-service indemnity, a salary adjustment and a transportation allowance,’’ he added, stressing that the demonstrators would continue their sit-in until Wednesday and could escalate their action if their demands are not met.
He also called for the rights of daily workers at the Water Office to be addressed.
Lebanese civil servants went on strike Wednesday and Thursday, while unions confirmed that public administrations would remain closed every Friday as they demand an increase in transportation allowances.
Meanwhile, unions and associations representing the land transport sector have announced a nationwide strike, mobilization and sit-in for Wednesday, Sept. 30, with the participation of all categories of road transport workers.
