Berri Says EDL Contract Workers Not AMAL Members

Speaker Nabih Berri expressed surprise on Wednesday on accusations and criticism that Electricite du Liban’s contract workers are members of his AMAL movement, local newspaper reported.

Berri said that he is “not ashamed” to voice his sympathy with the workers.

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel contacted the speaker on Tuesday to inquire him about the “best way” to resolve EDL’s crisis and ask him to intervene to remove the tent that the workers have erected inside the company’s premises in Mar Mikhael.

After a meeting with Energy Minister Jebran Bassil, Justice Minister Shakib Qortbawi and EDL’s administration, Charbel asked for 48 hours to take the appropriate measures to end the contract workers’ sit-in.

Berri urged the cabinet to launch a dialogue with the workers to inquire about their real situation and future as they die while performing their duties.

Many of them went on hunger strike on Monday.

Director-General of EDL Kamal al-Hayek reiterated on Tuesday that the company was in a state of collapse three months after the contract workers launched a sit-in to call for their full-time employment and the payment of their June and July salaries.

Berri wondered why the cabinet didn’t implement the decision that was approved earlier this month by the parliament.

Christian MPs criticized the decision taken by the parliament as it would create a sectarian imbalance in the public sector, arguing that around 80 percent of them belong to non-Christian sects and most of them support Berri, who is a Shiite.

The speaker also suggested the formation of a ministerial committee to reach a permanent solution to the crisis.

Berri condemned the “attack” on the contract workers by other protesters, wondering who would’ve been held responsible if anyone died.

On Monday, the workers clashed with angry citizens who demanded to end the strike and allow full-timers to resume work normally.

The employees will have to sit for a closed exam, which will be held by the Civil Service Board once the decision to permanently employ them is published in the official gazette.