In light of the difficult conditions that the country is experiencing, and the effects of the war, in addition to the large displacement movement, the administrative body of the Association of Public Administration Employees saw that “silence is no longer acceptable, nor is waiting possible,” indicating that thousands of citizens, including a large number of employees, have been forced to leave their homes, while the rise in prices has led to a further deterioration in the value of salaries.
The association explained in a statement that it held a physical meeting to discuss the employees’ conditions and take the necessary decisions, where the importance of communicating their voice to the responsible authorities to explain the reality and pressure to obtain the necessary rights was emphasized.
In this context, a delegation from the administrative body visited the Minister of Finance, Yassin Jaber, and presented him with a memorandum of basic demands. The statement stated that the minister showed his understanding of the importance of these demands, stressing the necessity of cooperating with the competent authorities to provide what alleviates the suffering of employees.
Jaber stressed that “the issue of the six salaries is an acquired right,” noting that they will be disbursed as quickly as possible, even in light of the challenges caused by the war, and retroactively.
The audience also discussed the importance of agreeing to provide immediate social assistance to all workers in public administration, given the increasing living pressures.
In addition, the association delegation met with the Director General of Civil Planning, Ali Ramadan, who confirmed his full support for the employees’ demands, as well as the General Director of Finance, George Maarawi, who announced his endeavor to reconcile the available financial capabilities with the rights of employees, stressing his support for them.
This move comes at a time when public administrations bear additional burdens as a result of managing the displacement file, especially in service ministries that work longer hours and with double the effort. The association stressed that public administration is the basis for maintaining the continuity of the state in normal circumstances and in times of war, stressing the need for the government to bear its responsibilities towards the concerned departments, most notably the Ministry of Social Affairs, by approving additional financial and moral compensation for its workers.
The Authority expressed its appreciation for the positions of the officials it met, especially the efforts of the Minister of Finance, expressing its hope that these positions would quickly turn into practical steps that would contribute to improving the situation of employees of various titles, in light of the difficult economic and humanitarian conditions that the country is going through.
