REPORT: Economic bodies announce failure of economic dialogue

The economic bodies announced on Saturday the failure of the economic dialogue due to the "unilateral step" taken by Prime Minister Najib Mikati in regards to the ranks and salaries pay scale. The bodies considered that the government can undermine the national economy either deliberately or by failing to fulfill its duties.          

In a statement, the bodies announced that they will boycott the upcoming sessions of the economic dialogue and keep their meetings open to follow up on the latest developments and take the appropriate economic measures to save the national economy.          

The bodies considered that no matter how long it lasted, the cost of a general strike would be by far less than the cost of an irresponsible ratification of the pay scale. They voiced their surprise at the government's tendency to ratify the series in the absence of any budget since 2005. "The budget of the current year has not even been discussed at the cabinet," they added.

In this regard, Mikati expressed surprise at the position of the economic bodies, stressing that the bodies made a hasty and emotional decision without checking the amendments applied to the draft law of the ranks and salaries pay scale.

Mikati added that accusing the cabinet of negligence and undermining the economy is refused. "We do not yield to threats," Mikati stated.

He then called for examining the content of the draft law of the pay scale and the sources to finance it. 

For his part, State Minister Marwan Kheireddine told LBCI that the cabinet is expected to endorse the pay scale during Monday's session, emphasizing that the financing sources are not related to the taxation.

Kheireddine added that the economic bodies' decision affects the national economy, affirming that the ministers are capable of making adequate decisions.