Nahhas: We Hope Wages Dispute Will Be Resolved at End of Nov.
Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas stated that the chances of resolving the dispute over wages are high if all sides are honest in their dealing with the file.
He told As Safir newspaper in remarks published on Saturday: “The deadline to resolve this issue is not open-ended and it should not exceed the end of November.”
He confirmed on Friday that he received the answers of the Economic Committees and the Syndicate Coordination Committee on his recommendations on the wage boost.
He told LBCI TV station that the Syndicate Coordination Committee was more cooperative.
In remarks to As Safir daily, Nahhas said he was waiting for the answers of all parties who participated in the price index committee meetings on his recommendations on wage increases.
He said in his remarks on Saturday that there were differences in opinions expressed in the answers.
He explained that Economic Committees’ response was not as receptive to our suggestions, but the General Labor Confederation (GLC) seemed a bit more receptive.
The Syndicate Coordination Committee’s answer was the most promising, revealed the minister.
The minister made his comments without elaborating.
“I would have hoped that the reservations that various sides expressed would not have been limited to petty goals because it is unacceptable for the sides to accept negotiations while still holding on to primitive mentalities,” he remarked.
“Our main aim is to reach a solution that follows the rules of procedure and cabinet’s decision on raising minimum wage,” Nahhas stressed.
He did express however to An Nahar daily on Saturday his understanding of each sides’ position and need to defend their interests.
Meanwhile, the head of the Economic Committees Adnan Kassar stated that the committees will hold on to dialogue to resolve the dispute, reported An Nahar.
“We are ready to once again to take part in the price index because we are aware of the importance of finding the suitable solution that meets the expectations of all concerned sides, especially after the Shura Council rejected the government’s decision on the wage hike,” he added.
He revealed that contacts between the committees and GLC have not be severed, saying that they seek to find the necessary solutions to the dispute.
Last week, the Shura Council turned down a cabinet decision to increase wages.
The cabinet had agreed to raise the minimum wage to LL700,000 from LL500,000. It also raised by LL200,000 the salaries of those earning under LL1 million. Workers whose wages range between LL1 million and LL1.8 million would get LL300,000, according to the cabinet decision.
The Shura Council’s rejection of the government’s decision renewed the talks at the price index committee, which includes representatives of the Economic Committees and the General Labor Confederation.
Nahhas made new recommendations to resolve the bickering between the two sides. The Economic Committees have rejected the wage boost saying such a move would lead to inflation and force businesses to shut down.
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