EDL Contract Workers Warn of Power Outage if 'Conspiracy' Continues
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Electricite du Liban contract workers warned on Monday that Lebanon will plunge in darkness if the parliament endorses an urgent draft-law proposed by Change and Reform bloc MP Ibrahim Kanaan, considering it a “conspiracy.”
The contract workers closed the gates of the company's headquarters in Mar Mikhael, burning tires in its premises to protest the draft-law, which they argue it contradicted the agreement they had reached with the government of ex-Prime Minister Najib Miqati when they lifted their 95-day sit-in last year.
The workers began rallying at 9:00 a.m. at the premises of the company to protest attempts by the parliament to adopt a draft-law that they reject.
Their colleagues across Lebanon staged sit-ins near EDL branches in support to the rally held in Beirut's Mar Mikhael neighborhood.
The original agreement stated that around 1,800 contract employees would be upgraded to full-timers, however, the draft-law said that all workers should undergo an exam to determine their qualifications and those who pass would be upgraded.
The contract workers considered the draft-law as a “conspiracy,” rejecting to undergo exams by Civil Service Commission and demanding exams to be held by the company under CSC supervision.
The original agreement had said that the contract workers who fail would get a compensation amounting to two-month salary/year, however, under the draft-law the compensation would amount to one-month wage per year.
The draft-law was signed by Kanaan, AMAL movement MP Ali Bazzi and Hizbullah MP Ali Ammar.
Kanaan told LBCI later on that he was one of the lawmakers who signed the draft-law, denying that he was the one to propose it.
“If the contract workers wanted to modify the draft-law they should propose their suggestions to the parliament,” the MP said.
Kanaan pointed out that he inked the draft-law “under a request by the heads of all parliamentary blocs, including (speaker Nabih) Berri.”
Most contract employees are loyal to Berri, who is the head of AMAL movement.
The contract workers blocked briefly the two lanes of the Karantina highway, causing bumper-to-bumper traffic.
Later, Labor Minister Sejaan Qazzi arrived at the scene, urging demonstrators to open the road.
“The demands of the protesters should be treated in a calm political way,” Qazzi said.
- H. K.
- G. K.
31 March 2014, 10:35
38
Ibrahim Kanaan is a wannabe who has no sense of direction whatsoever...
He should go to 3ammou Michel before he gets spanked for continuous stuff ups :D
31 March 2014, 16:29
62
ya zakzak ibrahim kanaan is trying to save the state million of dollars of salaries for unqualified people who berri put just to make favors here and there and be re elected. All their jobs could be automated easily.
31 March 2014, 21:11
01
@Jaafar: What's your take on Elton John's decision to tie the knot with his longtime partner David Furnish? Is that good for your resistance? Please, elaborate without emotions if you can.
31 March 2014, 10:47
28
EDL is full of incompetent employees who are members of Amal and the terror party. They suck the life out of EDL in terms of salaries, social benefits, and they never show up for work.
31 March 2014, 11:36
63
All Lebanese workers should be getting ready for tough times ahead. The entire world is headed for another nasty economic downturn and Lebanon is in bad shape to weather it.
The problem is the politicians won't tell the people the truth about a future fraught with austerity and uncertainty. Strikes like these and the teachers are going to increase but to no avail, the money is not there.
These grievances must be resolved through arbitration and not through the political process. Strikes causing massive dislocations only shrink the already shrinking economic pie ...
31 March 2014, 12:10
92
You should thank the KSA, Qatar and the USA for starting te Syrian war and stocking it with Takfiris.
Lebanon wouldn't have half the problems if it weren't for this Sunni war on the Shia that has cost Lebanon some $7 billion ...
31 March 2014, 11:56
51
mckinl
Your above comment makes perfect sense and if you recall you and I commented earlier regarding the sad state of the Lebanese economy. As you said the citizens have no clue what is happening, much less our politicians who are too busy worrying about their pockets.
I think doom day is fast approaching. Already our national debt is about 115% of our GNP. It is one of the highest in the world and worst yet it is expected to climb to 140% of our GNP
31 March 2014, 12:04
62
Indeed ... Then there are the 1 million plus Syrian refugees that look to be here for months, probably years. Lebanon is getting little help to cover the refugee costs of food, housing, healthcare and schooling.
The KSA should have given Lebanon the 3 billion dollars in refugee aide rather than military aide. That would at least cover part of the costs, It's only right the Qatar and the KSA cover these costs. It's their war.
All it will take is downgrades by S&P and other credit rating agencies to throw Lebanon into financial chaos. Once the IMF is called in a country is screwed. Lebanon better get its house in order. Getting the oils and gas leases running would help immensely ...
31 March 2014, 12:15
62
@ popeye
I guess you haven't noticed the recent downgrades of Lebanese bonds recently ... I guess you haven't noticed the Lebanese economy slowing dramatically ... I guess you haven't noticed that Jordan get plenty of aide for their Syrian refugees but Lebanon gets crumbs ...
31 March 2014, 12:16
32
also I would not rely much on quatar or KSA these corrupt regimes have shown empty talks and no action
31 March 2014, 14:14
42
@ half-disclosure
"You are too biased to even acknowledge the root causes because you were born sectarian, raised up as sectarian, and you shall perish as a sectarian."
Well let's hear your hypothesis on the root causes ... calling me a sectarian is nothing more than an excuse not to discuss the facts of the matter...
31 March 2014, 12:03
39
I await the day when I will read ONE meaningful post, ONE counter argument, ONE credible or mature info from you, Flamethrower..... , but alas!
31 March 2014, 12:14
42
mcknil
the downgrade is on its way as S & P views the gradual increase of the national debt as a red flag. Also the Syrian refugees are a huge drain on the economy irrespective of what KSA or any one else gives Financial help to Lebanon. Here is why assume only 1 million Syrians working in Lebanon and assume they earn $50/day (I know most earn more) so a Syrian will spend at most $5 in Lebanon and $45 will be sent home.
Do the math my friend to figure out how much money leaves Lebanon on a daily basis. Add to that the sri Lankan workers, soudanese bangla deshi etc. All the total outflow of cash is draining the Lebanese economy. this massive drain is lowering to dangerous level the LL velocity.
LL velocity is an indicator as to how many times the LL changes hand during the course of the day. this determines the strength of our economy. As such with a massive drain of cash out of our economy said velocity is at very very low and dangerous level
31 March 2014, 12:23
42
That is why the government must get up and running ... They need to stop the bleeding and get revenues coming in. They need to get the oil and gas business up and running ... lowering telecom fees in times like these when revenues are scarce is a terrible idea.
Salary cuts to high paid civil servants should be on the agenda starting with the ministers and parliament. Low level workers don't have the luxury salaries or perks to give. Parliament cutting their own salaries would set the tone but I'm not holding my breath.
Then there are the high incomes and luxury properties that should be set for higher rates and fewer exemptions. Everyone must sacrifice according to the rewards they receive ... The children, poor and elderly should be the very last to suffer.
31 March 2014, 12:22
24
there is money, it is just that the crooks serving as politicians want to keep it for themselves and not to redistribute it....
31 March 2014, 12:27
22
No doubt the pols are greasing their own palms at the expense of everyone else ... and they are getting greedier as the economy slows and their revenues slow as well.
Time to get government back to work to clean up the graft that plagues Lebanon ... The greater the confusion the more "room" they have to cheat the Lebanese people ...
31 March 2014, 12:33
23
sure and they take ANY excuses to procrastinate... that is why unions and workers are fed up, they sense that any gvt just laugh at them! always an excuse to turn down legitimate demands by citizens! be it M14 or M8 in power, both work for their seats, not for lebanese!
31 March 2014, 12:48
22
@ peace
The "money" is drying up as the economy tanks ... Of course you are correct that the politicians and their interests will be the last to suffer ... it is up to the people to demand that they put the welfare of Lebanon first and foremost over their skimming and graft.
31 March 2014, 12:26
24
peace
where is the money?
ever noticed the retail stores how empty they are? ever noticed that public cabs or service have at most 2 passengers inside? the only places that are almost full are eating outfits..... so drink eat be merry and don't worry about anything else
right?
31 March 2014, 13:55
36
'Flamethrower..... 7 hours ago 88
cedre "not apologist, just giving a cause-effect explanation..."
you're a liar and everybody read how you qualified a recent suicide bomber as a 'batal'.'
give us the link or admit u're a pathetic liar...
31 March 2014, 16:06
11
by the way I just got back from haret hrek I had a falafel sandwich at Jamal;s these are the best falafel sandwiches in town
do you know the place?
31 March 2014, 16:26
21
FD
I was afraid of this question all I know if I am on the airport road I make a U turn on KFC then turn right by cremino ice cream ( which is very tSTY BTW) then I don't know where as I meet my friends at cremino and we go there I know it is like 2 or 3 streets down
since mowaten did not reply may I ask you that question FD?
31 March 2014, 16:51
12
Dude
I have NEVER used any name but coolmec not into this thing of multiple names
sorry
31 March 2014, 16:44
11
by the way FD I replied on the other article to your question regarding partitioning Labanon
Please do read it
31 March 2014, 17:16
21
well before I arrived in Beirut I saw a video about a restaurant in dahie
the décor was the old Beirut destroyed from the civil war it is a hamburger joint they sell burgerswith weapons theme like klachinkov burger, beretta hot dog etccc
any one knows where is this place? would love to go there have a burger
31 March 2014, 19:36
32
dunno about it coolmec, but why on earth would you want to relive those ugly memories? Plus dahieh is not very safe and practical to go to now...
31 March 2014, 20:35
30
Lebanon first
sorry for the late reply I just read your comment but answering your question I am non political non sectarian I have friends from all sects we are friends because they are great people I never base my friendship on religion in fact I never ask about religion.
I realize dahiey is dangerous now any time an idiot might kill himself along with innocent Lebanese I simply refuse to live in a siege mentality. So I believe god is the ultimate decision maker and in the meantime while I am visiting Lebanon I want to go anywhere and see my friends
31 March 2014, 21:27
01
i dont understand why you are elaborating on and on your being non sectarian.
My comment is not about sectarianism. It is about the ugliness of the weapons and memories of war.
31 March 2014, 18:25
00
That's why it's more than ever, the EDL, telecom and a couple of other must be privatized.
