The course of dialogue between the government and the General Labor Union moved from the stage of presenting demands to initiating executive solutions. Following a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Mitri, it was devoted to discussing urgent living and social issues, most notably supporting public drivers, regulating the transportation sector, adjusting wages, end-of-service compensation, and transportation allowances.
The meeting was held in the presence of the Ministers of Finance Yassin Jaber, Economy and Trade Amer Al-Bassat, Displaced Persons and State for Technology and Artificial Intelligence Affairs Kamal Shehadeh, Interior and Municipalities Ahmed Al-Hajjar, Labor Mohammed Haider, and Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamny.
Its president, Bishara Al-Asmar, participated on behalf of the General Labor Union, accompanied by Saad Al-Din Al-Saqr and Bassam Tlais, while the economic bodies were represented by former Minister Mohamed Choucair, along with Salim Al-Zaani, Nicola Chammas, and Jacques Sarraf.
The meeting reached the approval of a package of practical steps that the concerned authorities will begin implementing immediately. In the transportation sector, it was decided to begin procedures for implementing the upcoming Cabinet decision to provide assistance to public drivers, on the condition that they adhere to the official tariff, in parallel with strict enforcement of the law and protection of the legitimate land transportation sector. The agreement also included addressing the outstanding files with the relevant departments and related to buses, tankers, coaches, trucks, and vans, as well as related organizational and administrative issues.
Regarding the file of wages and social rights, it was agreed to invite the Index Committee to meet early next week. To discuss minimum wages, transportation allowances, and end-of-service compensation. In addition, the meeting approved the understanding with the Minister of Finance to grant workers in public institutions and independent departments their right to perseverance compensation.
These measures fall within the ongoing consultation process between the Ministerial Committee, the General Labor Union, and the economic bodies, waiting for the upcoming Indicator Committee meeting to constitute a decisive step to decide on issues of wages and social rights.
