Contractors Committee Submits Bill to Expand Pension Coverage

The Contractors Committee of the Public Administration Employees Association clarified in a statement that "based on our firm belief that rights are not preserved by promises, but by serious and responsible work, and that unity and concerted efforts form the basic pillar for achieving legitimate demands, the committee emanating from the association, tasked by its administrative body under internal statement No. 2026/11, announces the start of its work to follow up on the affairs of contractors and wage workers under various job titles, placing at the forefront of its priorities the defense of their professional, social, and retirement rights, and working to redress them within a fair and comprehensive legal framework."

It continued: "In a practical step reflecting the seriousness of this direction, the emanating committee announces the preparation of a draft law for retirement conditions specific to contractors and wage workers in public administrations, based on Law No. 49 concerning the Retirement Charter, with necessary amendments introduced to expand the scope of its provisions to suit the legal and professional status of various categories of contractors and wage workers, regardless of their job titles, ensuring their inclusion in fair retirement rights and guarantees, and preserving their years of service in the public administration." It noted that "the draft law was deposited with the concerned authorities, paving the way for following it up through official and competent legislative channels, until its approval, which achieves justice and equality in retirement rights, and ensures social protection and future security for employees who spent long years serving the state and its institutions."

It affirmed that "this initiative comes within the framework of full cooperation and coordination with the Administrative Body of the Public Administration Employees Association, embodying an approach based on collective work, integration of efforts, and unification of vision, away from personalization or exclusivity, because the goal is not to record achievements in the names of individuals, but to achieve rights benefiting all contractors and wage workers, without discrimination or exception. Contractors and wage workers, no matter how different their job titles, are not second-class employees, and their years of service and sacrifices must not remain outside the framework of fair retirement protection. Whoever contributed to the continuity of state institutions and bore the burdens of administrative work in the most difficult circumstances deserves to have his future protected, and his dignity preserved after the end of his years of service."

It indicated that "preparing the draft law and depositing it with the concerned authorities does not constitute the end of the road, but rather the beginning of a legislative path requiring diligent follow-up and responsible work, leading to the approval of legislation that redresses various categories and job titles, puts an end to the existing disparity in rights and guarantees, and establishes the principle of justice and equality among employees in public administrations," stressing "its commitment to transparency, cooperation, and continuous coordination with the Administrative Body of the Association, openness to all colleagues, listening to their observations and suggestions, in a manner that serves the common interest and strengthens the unity of contractors and wage workers."

It said: "Our cause is not the cause of one category over another, nor the cause of names or positions, but rather the cause of rights, dignity, and justice. The success of this committee is not measured by the number of statements issued by it, but by what it can achieve in terms of practical steps and tangible achievements that serve everyone's interest. Accordingly, the committee affirms its determination to continue following up on the draft law with the official and competent legislative authorities, in cooperation with the Administrative Body of the Public Administration Employees Association, and working by all available legal and institutional means to reach a fair and comprehensive retirement charter that preserves the rights of contractors and wage workers and provides them with the social and retirement protection they deserve. The next phase is a phase of work, follow-up, and responsibility, not a phase of promises or slogans. What unites us is greater than any difference, and what we seek is a legitimate right to justice, fairness, and social security."

It concluded affirming that "its strength stems from the unity of its members and the integration of their efforts, and from the trust of colleagues and their rallying around their common cause, and that it will remain committed to working under the umbrella of the Public Administration Employees Association, in cooperation with its Administrative Body, until the desired goals are achieved. The time has come to translate years of service and giving into protected retirement rights, and for the file of contractors and wage workers to move from the circle of waiting and promises to the circle of legislation and fairness. Together for a fair and comprehensive retirement charter that preserves the rights of contractors and wage workers under various job titles, and establishes justice, dignity, and social security for everyone who devoted the years of his life to serving the Lebanese public administration."