ISF Vows to Protect Employees Who Choose Not to Abide by Strike

The Internal Security Forces on Sunday vowed to protect the freedom of any employee who chooses not to abide by the Syndicate Coordination Committee's strike on Monday.

“Freedom of expression and the right to stage peaceful demonstrations and strikes are rights stipulated by the Lebanese constitution according to the applicable laws and regulations,” the ISF said in a statement.

“According to the law and constitution, the ISF is tasked with the mission of preserving security and order, as well as protecting individuals, properties and public safety,” it added.

The ISF stressed that, in line with these rights, it would take all the appropriate measures in order to preserve law and order, especially at public and educational institutions.

It vowed to protect citizens against any violations and to preserve their freedom if they choose not to take part in the strike.

The strike has been called by the Syndicate Coordination Committee, a coalition of private and public school teachers and public sector employees, over the government's failure to refer the new wage scale to parliament for approval.

The cabinet has procrastinated in finding sources to fund the scale that was approved last year, leading to growing differences with the SCC, which has been accusing it of negligence.

However, the government argues that it is delaying the decision on the funding in an attempt to thoroughly discuss plans to boost the treasury's revenue to cover the expenses of the salaries boost.

The state treasury will have more than $1.2 billion to cover over the presence of 180,000 public sector employees including military personnel.

In an interview with MTV on Sunday evening, Catholic schools secretary-general Father Butros Azar said: “We're committed to the statement issued by the union of educational institutions which called for opening schools regularly tomorrow and it is unacceptable to hear a threatening rhetoric from teachers.”

But in an interview with the same TV network, Nehme Mahfoud, head of the private schools teachers union, stressed that "the SCC's protest movement is democratic and peaceful."

"We will stage peaceful and civilized sit-ins tomorrow (Monday) outside some schools," he added.

Meanwhile, sources close to Prime Minister Najib Miqati told NBN television that "the government's stance has not changed and it does not act under the pressure of street protests."

"There will be no new wage scale without finding sources of funding and there is no use in carrying on with the strike," the sources added.

"Contacts are taking place away from the media spotlight in a bid to speed up the issue of finding sources of funding for the new wage scale," said the sources.