Member of the Union Coordinating Committee (UCC) Hanna Gharib stated on Wednesday that disputes pertaining to the series of ranks and salaries lack reason, pointing out that the salaries of teachers and instructors are currently below the minimum wage level.
In a press conference held at the Riad El-Soleh Square, Gharib reiterated that "the battle for passing the series of ranks and salaries concerns all Lebanese citizens and factions," adding that escalatory moves may prove as the only means to achieve the desired results.
"We may have to resort to an open-ended strike, and even boycott state official exams."
Earlier, teachers of official schools staged a sit-in in major regions across Lebanon including Beirut, Tripoli, Jbeil, Zahle and the Aley District to protest parliament's failure to approve the salary scale.
The UCC vowed unprecedented moves following the Easter Holiday, promising "no mercy for those who have let us down."
In turn, MP Qassem Hachem said to the demonstrating crowds that "reforms start with you and not inside black chambers. We reiterate our full support to you until you attain your full list of demands."
On Tuesday, the UCC said its movements come in light of the parliament's failure to endorse the series of ranks and salaries, vowing to remain in the streets until their demands are met.
It also held a sit-in in Beirut's Riad El-Soleh Square to exert pressure on Parliament to pass the pay scale.
Member of the UCC Hanna Gharib described the failure to pass the pay scale as “the liquidation of the public sector,” pointing out that the parliament would be opening a battle front with the public sector if it decides to base the wage scale payment on several installments.
For his part, head of the Private Schools Teachers Association Nehme Mahfoud said Education Minister Elias Bou Saab will have to bare a huge responsibility if parliament fails to meet the rights of teachers.
Meanwhile, a delegation from the UCC headed to parliament, and handed over to deputies a memorandum that has the UCC’s remarks on the draft law pertaining to the series of ranks and salaries.
The Union Coordinating Committee resumed its movements a couple of weeks ago calling on the authorities to pass the pay scale, which stipulates a wage hike.
The decision to revive movements came as a result of the failure of the Joint Parliamentary Committees to resolve the dispute on the Value Added Tax in a proposal aimed at securing the funds for the salary scale that was approved by former Prime Minister Najib Mikati's cabinet.
Former PM Mikati's cabinet endorsed the new salary scale for public employees in 2012, ending a long dispute that had triggered several sit-ins and strikes held by the UCC.
President Michel Sleiman signed the decree mid-June 2013 and it was referred to the Joint Parliamentary Committees for further examination, however the law was never passed to parliament.
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