SCC Says No Official Exams if Demands Not Met, Urges 'Peaceful Day of Rage'

The Syndicate Coordination Committee warned the authorities on Thursday that official exams will not be held as long as its demands on the pay raise are not met.

During a press conference held near the Education Ministry in Beirut, the coalition of private and public school teachers and public sector employees vowed to obstruct the official exams.

The SCC also urged its supporters to participate in a “peaceful day of rage” next Wednesday.

The demonstrators will march from the area near the Association of Banks in Lebanon to parliament in Nejmeh Square.

The SCC launched a week-long and nationwide strike on Thursday to protest the proposal of a ministerial-parliamentary committee to cut the raise by $700 million.

While public schools and most state institutions went on strike, private schools remained open.

The SCC stresses that it will only accept a 121 percent wage hike as initially approved by ex-Prime Minister Najib Miqati's government in 2012.

The committee reduced the total funding from LL2.8 trillion ($1.9 billion) to LL1.8 trillion ($1.2 billion).

It also proposed raising the Value Added Tax from 10 to 11 percent on certain services, and customs by five percent on some items.

The parliament will convene next Wednesday to discuss the recommendations of the committee.

G.K.

M.T.