REPORT: UCC vows protest climax on Thursday

                 

The Union Coordination Committee held on Wednesday a news conference, whereby UCC Head, Hanna Gharib, called for massive turnout in tomorrow's strike in Baabda.            

Gharib vowed that tomorrow will be a decisive day in the course of the battle relevant to the referral of the salary scale to the Parliament with a view to endorsement. 

Earlier in the day, protesters gathered outside the Motor Vehicle Service Registration Department in Dekwaneh, upon the call of the Union Coordination Committee (UCC) the state run National News Agency reported.          

In this context, a verbal clash erupted between the Head of the Department Georges Latouf and the member of the UCC Mohamed Kasem after Latouf asked protesters to "stay away from the Department."          

On another note, head of the UCC Hanna Gharib announced that the sit-in costs more than the series of ranks and salaries, blaming concerned officials for the repercussions of the demonstration for failing to address the issue.          

In this regard, Gharib stressed that the airport and private schools will close on Thursday, noting that families and students will stage a protest toward the Baabda Palace. He called on Prime Minister Najib Mikati to refer the wage scale to parliament since the failure to do so will entail further escalation.         

The Union Coordinating Committee launched its open ended strike on February 19th 2013 after making repeated called on Prime Minister Mikati to validate the new salary scale and consequently refer it to Parliament for ratification.        

Other sit-ins were also held throughout the week outside different official buildings across Lebanon, with still no solution to the workers’ crisis, which has repeatedly disturbed the country’s official operations and school activity, in sight.


To watch the full report, please click on the video above