The Executive Council of the Syndicate of Gas Station Owners in Lebanon held an extraordinary meeting, headed by Captain George Al-Barkes, during which the current conditions and the increasing financial and operational challenges facing the sector in various Lebanese regions were discussed.
The Council issued a statement following the meeting in which it called on political officials not to involve the rights of station owners in any political disputes or debates, stressing that the union’s work is “purely professional unionism” aimed at serving citizens, protecting the stability of this vital sector, and defending the rights of its members away from any alignments.
The statement indicated that the fixed station commission, determined by the Ministry of Energy and Water, has become much lower than the actual operational cost. Which multiplied several-fold as a result of the rise in municipal fees, National Social Security Fund contributions, work leave and residency fees for foreign workers, in addition to the costs of operating generators and the repercussions of financial inflation, amid a decline in sales volume by between 20 and 30 percent.
The Council criticized the performance of the government authority, which decided to stabilize the station owner’s commission and turn him into a “semi-employee with a fixed salary,” without being able to stabilize operational expenses and burdens in return. Rather, it continued to increase fees and taxes.
In this context, the Council pointed out that the union has not yet resorted to escalatory options such as movements and strikes, based on its national responsibility and its keenness not to paralyze the country, stressing that this keenness “does not mean giving up rights.”
The Council concluded by calling on station owners in all regions to “be patient and join hands at this stage,” stressing the continuation of communications and negotiations with the concerned authorities to reach fair solutions and obtain just rights.
