Cabinet ends session, fails to pass pay scale

The cabinet ended the session dedicated to discuss the pay scale and sources to fund it, and failed to pass the file and refer it to the Parliament.   

Labor Minister Salim Jreissati, who read the statement noted that the cabinet decided not to divide any approach concerning the pay scale, and to pass reform and financial measures in order to modify the scale and increase the public sector wages.                    

Jreissati added that funding the scale will be added to the cabinet session’s agenda scheduled for Wednesday.

Prior to the cabinet session, which convened at Baabda Presidential Palace, a meeting was held between President Michel Sleiman and PM Najib Mikati.                

During the session, the Syndicates Coordination Committee (SCC) staged a symbolic sit-in on the road leading to the Palace, in an attempt to pressure the government to refer the pay scale to Parliament for ratification.            

In this context, Head of Public Secondary School Education Teachers Association Hanna Gharib told LBCI that the referral of the pay scale to the Parliament must be done urgently, rejecting the  proposal pertaining to the installment of payments. He noted that the committee will be staging a strike and another sit-in on Wednesday should the cabinet fail to meet their demands.       

On a separate issue, President Michel Sleiman stressed that the security officials who met at the Higher Defense Council placed a security plan  for Tripoli already underway since Sunday evening, noting that it has been effective so far.          

Sleiman also stressed the need to support the Lebanese Army in its efforts to impose security in northern Lebanese city.              

The President approved the activation of the development projects set up for Tripoli and the North.          

For his part, PM Najib Mikati praised the decisions of the Higher Defense Council, hoping that the security situation in Tripoli remains "under control."