Mikati: wage adjustment OK, so long it doesn’t lead to inflation

PM Najib Mikati met with House Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain El Tine to discuss the general situation in the country, the wage increase in particular, in presence of Health Minister Ali Hussein Khalil.  

During a meeting with a delegation from the economic bodies headed by Adnan Kassar at the Grand Serail, PM Mikati reiterated that no one is against wage adjustment or the increase of the citizens’ purchasing power, “provided that it does not happen at the expense of productivity in Lebanon and avoids inflation”.  

Mikati called on all parties to activate the social security system, to quickly set executive outlines for the public pension fund and to launch a permanent economic and social dialogue leading to a comprehensive social policy.  

For his part, Kassar reiterated the position of the economic bodies that is based on a previous agreement with the General Workers Union to increase the minimum wage from 350,000 LBP to 500,000 LBP.  

Kassar assured that the bodies will keep cooperating with the General Workers Union to serve the country’s interest, calling on the Union to engage in a dialogue leading to a clear and comprehensive social policy.