Station Owners: The Government Turned Us Into 'Semi-Employees'

The executive council of the Lebanese Fuel Stations Owners Union held an extraordinary meeting under the presidency of union president Georges Brikis, discussing current conditions and the delicate situation facing the sector amid increasing financial and operational challenges affecting station owners across Lebanon.

The council issued a statement urging "all stakeholders and political officials to refrain from involving station owners' rights in any political disputes or power struggles."

The union emphasized that "its work is purely professional and trade-based, aiming first and foremost to serve citizens, ensure stability in this vital sector, and defend station owners' rights without any political affiliations."

The council stressed that "the fixed and set station commission by the Ministry of Energy and Water is now insufficient to cover actual operating costs, which have multiplied several times due to sharp increases in municipal fees, National Social Security Fund subscriptions, work and residence permits for foreign workers, not to mention the high cost of running generators and the financial inflation affecting all operational goods and services—especially after sales volumes dropped between 20 and 30 percent."

It noted that "the government, which fixed the station owner's commission and effectively turned them into 'semi-employees' with a fixed salary, failed to stabilize operating expenses and obligations, instead choosing to increase fees and taxes itself."

The council affirmed that the union has so far refrained from "negative options," such as strikes or actions, out of national responsibility and concern not to disrupt a vital sector whose shutdown could paralyze the country," while stressing that this restraint "does not mean surrendering rights."

It called on station owners across Lebanon to "remain patient and united during this phase," clarifying that "ongoing communications and negotiations with relevant authorities will continue toward finding solutions and securing fair rights."