Beirut airport workers threaten strike action
Staff at Beirut’s international airport have warned the government that they will join strike action by civil servants and teachers due to the delay in referring a new wage scale draft law to Parliament.
“Airport staff will stop working if the government fails to refer the salary scale to Parliament on March 21,” said Imad Meqdad, who spoke on behalf of civil aviation staff, regarding the Cabinet session scheduled to discuss the issue.
Minister of State Marwan Kheireddine said the committee responsible for the preparation of the draft law, had finalised the proposal and would submit it for approval by next week’s session.
While details on the draft were not forthcoming, the minister said last week that a previous wage increase, including salary hikes awarded to judges and Lebanese University professors, constituted more than half the funds needed for the new scale.
Civil servants and teachers began striking on 19th February in a bid to pressure the government into finalising the wage hike.
The airport was latest protest venue, but demonstrators were meant by a large show of strength from police.
The Union Coordination Committee, which is fronting the demonstrations, has targeted several ministries and Thursday moved its protest to Beirut Port.
While air traffic was not hindered by Friday’s demonstrations, public offices and schools across Lebanon have been severely affected.