Public Sector Unions Warn of Comprehensive Escalation if Rights Are Not Approved

The Public Sector Unions Assembly, representing both military and civilian personnel, convened at the headquarters of the Lebanese Armed Forces Veterans Association to discuss the deteriorating economic, social, and living conditions faced by public sector employees and retirees. The meeting highlighted the ongoing collapse of purchasing power and the erosion of salaries, pensions, and social benefits due to soaring prices of goods, services, taxes, and fees.

According to a statement issued by the assembly, the attendees considered the scattered improvements granted so far insufficient compared to the losses sustained by workers and retirees. They described these improvements as only partial recoveries of rights that were stripped during years of crisis, while the state recovers the majority through various taxes, fees, and deductions. The group also expressed surprise at the persistent ambiguity surrounding financial and monetary policies and decisions related to salaries and pensions, which are treated as favors or gifts despite being legally acquired rights that must not be violated or delayed under any pretext.

The assembly emphasized that the policy of procrastination, evasion, and reneging on promises has reached an unacceptable level. They stated that the continued neglect of the demands of public sector employees and retirees shows disregard for the suffering of tens of thousands of families who have borne the brunt of the economic collapse in their livelihoods, savings, and children's futures.

The participants viewed the government-submitted draft law proposing an additional appropriation of 56.5 trillion Lebanese pounds to finance temporary compensations, improve salaries and retirement pensions, increase family allowances, and provide school assistance as essential. They insisted it must be immediately placed on the agenda of the Parliament's general assembly and approved without delay or being tied to political disputes or calculations.

They called on the Speaker of Parliament and all parliamentary blocs to urgently convene a legislative session to approve the appropriations and projects related to the rights of public sector employees and retirees, stressing that these rights take precedence over all other considerations.

The assembly declared that workers and retirees can no longer endure unfulfilled promises and that their patience has been exhausted to the utmost limit. They affirmed that any continued obstruction or delay in approving these rights will compel them to initiate a comprehensive and open-ended escalatory movement employing all legitimate democratic and legal means, coordinated with all public sector components, aiming to enforce and secure these rights through peaceful methods guaranteed by the constitution and law.

They held the political, executive, and legislative authorities accountable for the consequences of maintaining this approach, warning that ignoring the rights of workers and retirees threatens social and administrative stability and further fragments state institutions while weakening their ability to fulfill their duties.

The statement concluded by asserting that forthcoming actions will not be symbolic or superficial but will reflect the extent of the suffering and injustice inflicted on military personnel, civilians, retirees, educational bodies, contractors, and workers, continuing and expanding until the legitimate and fair demands are met.