The Contractors Committee in Public Administrations announced a comprehensive strike for two days, on Thursday and Friday, February 19 and 20. This decision comes as a rejection of the policy of imposing taxes on Lebanese citizens, and an objection to bearing the public sector for the consequences of these taxes, while the basic living and functional demands of contractors have not been met.
In a statement issued by it, the committee affirmed its full support for the Lebanese people in confronting what it described as unjust tax policies, and held the government and responsible parties responsible for these decisions and their consequences.
The committee considered in the statement that the government measures of imposing new taxes and fees, in the absence of organized and transparent financial management, and in light of a state of stagnation affecting public administration and services, constitute “an escalatory step that is completely rejected.” She pointed out that the continued failure to submit accounts for many years, and the categorical refusal to conduct an honest financial audit, confirm the existence of a deep problem in the management of public money, and reinforce doubts about the existence of a closed circle aimed at misleading public opinion and covering up waste, corruption, and favoritism in spending.
The committee criticized the government’s reliance on raising duties on gasoline and basic commodities, increasing customs duties on small and large containers, and imposing a 1% rate on TVA and various sectors, instead of controlling customs, regulating revenues, and closing waste outlets, stressing that “these increases are absolutely unacceptable.”
The committee concluded its statement by emphasizing that this protest movement aims to defend social justice and rights, and warning against the continuation of policies that are pushing the country towards more crises.
