REPORT: UCC ups pressure in demonstration held before parliament

Head of the Private Schools Teachers Association, Nehme Mahfoud stressed that the Union Coordinating Committee will not break-off its sit-in, calling on all the protesters to remain at Riad al-Solh Square until the pay scale is passed.

During the UCC’s demonstration, Mahfoud noted that all the parliamentary blocs issued statements supporting the pay scale, “without following through on their promises.”

“There are many corrupt officials who should be held accountable for their actions,” he said addressing Speaker Berri.

For his part, the head of the UCC Hanna Gharib said that by “thieves”, he did not mean the deputies, but those who are “money-hungry,” calling on the lawmakers to overthrow the draft law presented by the parliamentary sub-committees, “since it contradicts with the rights of the people.”

In turn, Education Minister Elias Abou Saab joined the protesters in their movement. Abou Saab told the reporters at Riad al-Solh Square, that none of the UCC officials accused the deputies of being “thieves,” noting that “as an education minister, he will stand by the teachers, speak on their behalf and cooperate with them.”

In this regard, Abou Saab said that he did not ask Hanna Gharib to apologize, but to clarify the statement referred to him.

In previous speeches, Gharib had decried the actions of parliamentarians and the ruling class, dubbing them negligent when it comes to the rights of the people.

At the onset of Wednesday's parliamentary session that coincides with the movement of the UCC, Speaker Nabih Berri stressed that Parliament does not legislate under pressure, calling on Education Minister Elias Abou Saab to urge the member of the Union Coordination Committee Hanna Gharib to apologize for his remarks launched Tuesday, whereby he described the deputies as “thieves.”

The UCC kicked off its demonstration Wednesday called for to exert pressure on Parliament to pass the series of ranks and salaries draft law.

The protesters gathered outside the headquarters of the Association of Banks in Lebanon and marched towards Nejmeh Square where a session is being held to discuss the pay scale.

The UCC, a coalition of private and public school teachers and public sector employees, also called for massive participation in the march in an attempt to further pressure on lawmakers.      

It 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.