Prime Minister Nawaf Salam received today at the government palace a delegation from the General Labor Union headed by Dr. Beshara Al-Asmar, in the presence of public sector representative Ahmed Mahmoud.
After the meeting, Al-Asmar stated, “The reality today is bad for the working class, whether in the public sector or the private sector,” explaining that the public sector received a six-salary increase, but it is not integrated into the basic salary, which reduces its effectiveness, as any increase must be added to the basic salary to have a positive impact on end-of-service compensation. He believed that the current solutions are insufficient, whether for the public sector or military institutions.
Al-Asmar added that the Union confirmed to the Prime Minister, in the presence of the public sector representative and general directors, its categorical rejection of all proposed fees and taxes, and its rejection of the tax increases and fees imposed on all the Lebanese people.
He pointed out that President Salam showed “to some extent” responsiveness, welcoming dialogue on various issues, starting with the value-added tax, all the way to port fees on containers, and ending with the gasoline tax, with the aim of providing the necessary funds to cover the increases scheduled for the public and military sectors. He added that dialogue will take place within the government and the House of Representatives to reconsider these taxes and fees, which are considered unfair to large segments of the Lebanese.
He explained that the government is working hard to study a new tax system that is fair and enhances the ability to collect from institutions, companies and all workers in economic sectors. He also proposed re-evaluating investment in crushers and sands within a new vision that enables the state to obtain additional revenues, in addition to re-evaluating the occupancy of marine and river properties, based on studies prepared by the army and the General Directorate of Transport and Railways. He also touched on the issue of tax evasion and ways to combat it, especially with regard to industrial enterprises that are not committed to paying, presenting a series of proposed measures in this regard. He indicated that the Prime Minister will make a press presentation to explain these developments in detail.
Al-Asmar concluded by stressing that the position of the General Labor Union and the public sector is firm in rejecting any tax increases or additional fees imposed on the Lebanese people.
In a related context, President Salam received a member of the “Strong Republic” bloc, MP Antoine Habashi, who stated after the meeting that the talks focused on two main points: protecting the electoral process in the Baalbek-Hermel region to avoid a repeat of the events of the 2022 elections, and ensuring the freedom of the voter to make his decision and the presence of the state and carry out its duties. The second point was about how to accelerate and activate the work of the body regulating the Indian cannabis sector, to enable farmers to better exploit their lands.
Habashi pointed out that President Salam explained that work is underway to activate the authority, in addition to seeking to appoint a general director, with the aim of accelerating the issuance of implementing decrees and laws that regulate its work, and enabling the sector to actually start and achieve the desired benefits for farmers. With regard to protecting the electoral process, Salam promised to follow up on the file and communicate with the Minister of Interior to take all necessary measures to ensure security on Election Day and prevent a recurrence of the events of 2022, in a way that guarantees the freedom of voters and the full presence of the state. In response to a question about the date of the elections, Habashi confirmed that the elections will be held on the scheduled date of May 10, and they may not be postponed under any circumstances.
President Salam also received a delegation from the “Lebanese Food Safety Authority” headed by Elie Awad, who explained that this was the first meeting with the Prime Minister, and it was agreed on practical and strategic steps that had been developed by the Board of Directors. He pointed out that Salam directed his team to begin helping to establish the National Food Safety Authority, including the bylaws and implementing decrees, organizing the workflow, and providing an office, equipment, vehicles, and a number of employees to facilitate the implementation of tasks.
The Prime Minister also met with the head of the Arab Tribal Gathering, Sheikh Badr Obaid, in the presence of the Secretary-General of the High Relief Commission, Brigadier General Bassam Nabulsi. Following the meeting, Obaid congratulated the Lebanese on the advent of the month of fasting, considering that it brings goodness and blessings to the nation. He praised President Salam’s visit to the south, describing it as an important national milestone that embodies the state’s return to performing its natural role and left great satisfaction among the population, due to the affirmation of the state’s presence and its keenness to protect the south and seek to rebuild it.
Obaid pointed out the aspiration of the people of the South for a strong and just state, stressing that the meeting dealt with service and development files, in addition to the issue of the detainees and the need to address them in the spirit of justice and fairness and speed up judicial procedures.
He affirmed the support of the Arab Clans Gathering for President Salam’s adherence to implementing the Taif Agreement, and for the option of Lebanon’s inclusion in the Arab system led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in a way that enhances stability and sovereignty and opens up prospects for economic recovery. He also paid tribute to the Lebanese Army for its efforts to impose state authority despite the challenges.
Among President Salam’s visitors also was former Ambassador Farid al-Khazen.
