Jaber After Meeting with Raï: Salaries Will Be Paid on Time

Cardinal Maronite Patriarch Béchara Boutros Rai received Finance Minister Yassine Jaber, accompanied by the General Director of the Ministry of Finance Georges Murr, in the summer patriarchal residence in Deir al-Qamar, with the presence of the Patriarchal Vicar General Bishop Elias Nasser.

The meeting reviewed the general situation in the country, particularly the economic, financial, and administrative realities, as well as the challenges facing Lebanon amid current regional conditions, along with government efforts aimed at enhancing stability, launching an reform path, and restoring confidence in the economy and state institutions.

The discussion also covered the work of the Ministry of Finance, steps taken to modernize administration, digitize services, and update customs operations, alongside the reform process in the banking sector, addressing the fiscal gap, protecting depositors' rights, and relations with the International Monetary Fund, highlighting the importance of restoring international confidence in Lebanon.

The meeting also addressed the state of the public administration and its employees, their need for qualified personnel, and several ongoing administrative issues, stressing the adoption of principles of justice, equality, efficiency, and proper functioning of public services.

Jaber emphasized "the importance of providing stability as the fundamental prerequisite for economic recovery," underscoring "the necessity of protecting Lebanon and leveraging available economic and investment opportunities in the region," while reaffirming the importance of coordinated official and national efforts to rebuild trust in the state and its institutions and place the country on a path toward recovery and development.

After the meeting, Jaber expressed gratitude to Patriarch Rai for his invitation, noting that "he placed him in the context of a stable financial situation despite the events and difficult circumstances Lebanon is undergoing," affirming "continued government efforts on both domestic and international fronts, especially cooperation with Iraq on the oil file, and engagement with the IMF and international banks to rehabilitate the banking sector.

Regarding questions about widespread dissatisfaction in the public sector over the payment mechanism for earned increases, Jaber firmly stated "increases will be paid on their scheduled dates without delay," clarifying that "the challenge lies in the retroactive effect mechanism established since March 1st.

He explained that "monetary pressures and injecting 420 million dollars in a single payment could harm the Lebanese pound and undermine monetary stability," detailing the government's plan to spread the retroactive effect across successive installments to safeguard the national currency, and announcing that "the government may accelerate disbursement if financial revenues improve.

Jaber urged public sector employees to "understand the Ministry of Finance's plan, which balances fairness toward them with protecting the purchasing power of all Lebanese citizens."