Karaki: Municipal workers are subject to insurance in its final stages

The Director General of the National Social Security Fund, Muhammad Karaki, received in his office this morning a delegation from the Federation of Municipal Workers and Employees Unions in Lebanon, about a month after his participation in the meeting of the National Defense, Interior, and Parliamentary Municipalities Committee, during which it was agreed to subject municipal workers to the three branches of social security: sickness and maternity insurance, family compensation, and end-of-service compensation, as well as to the provisions of the Retirement and Social Protection Law when it is put into effect.

During the meeting, the head and members of the delegation thanked the Director-General for the efforts he is making to ensure social and health protection for municipal workers and employees, expressing their great appreciation for this step that has been awaited for more than 20 years, which constitutes an essential gateway to justice for this large category of workers, especially in light of the difficult economic and social conditions, because of the stability and social security it provides for them and their families.

Also, the members of the delegation presented to Karaki some concerns, especially regarding the loss of some rights, gains, and special benefits that were, and still are, provided to them by some municipalities, when they are subject to the security law.

Karaki reassured the delegation that the aim of the law proposal is to provide the best for municipal workers and employees, and thus not to prejudice the acquired rights that exceed the benefits provided by the security, especially since the majority of them are deprived of basic benefits, especially in the field of health.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Director General expressed great optimism about the positive atmosphere prevailing among the Fund and its cooperating parties, which is in the interest of the current insured or the groups to be included in the plans to expand the umbrella of social coverage. He pledged that he would continue to achieve all goals and projects, in cooperation with the new Board of Directors and all concerned parties.

Karaki hoped that the honorable Parliament would complete the study of this law because of its very positive repercussions on tens of thousands of workers and municipal employees in Lebanon.