Ghosn: Govt. Should Tackle Wage Issue as Talks with Economic Bodies is Futile
The head of the General Labor Confederation Ghassan Ghosn described as “good” his meeting with Prime Minister Najib Miqati on Friday.
He told As Safir newspaper in remarks published on Saturday: “We discussed figures on inflation and we set our demands.”
“The discussions will now take place at cabinet after dialogue with the representatives of economic bodies proved futile,” he added.
He revealed that he had proposed to the premier that wages for employees who earn between LL 1,000 and one million be raised 60 percent, those who earn between LL 1 and 2 million be raised 40 percent, while those who earn more than two million be raised 20 percent.
Furthermore, Ghosn voiced his rejection of any increase in taxes in the new state budget, especially regarding the Value Added Tax.
The GLC announced on Thursday the suspension of its participation in the meetings of the price index committee aimed at finding a solution to labor union demands for a boost in wages.
It took the decision to boycott the committee meetings headed by Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas to protest a Value Added Tax hike from 10 to 12 percent proposed by Finance Minister Mohammed Safadi in the draft state budget.
While the 2012 budget is yet to be approved by the cabinet and parliament amid differences between politicians and officials on the tax increases, Ghosn told As Safir on Friday that Miqati should take the initiative to “remove the mines in the budget.”
For his part, the premier told the newspaper in remarks published on Saturday that he sensed an understanding on Ghosn’s part, adding that a solution to the dispute can be reached.
He stressed the importance of dialogue between all concerned sides for each to reach its desired goal “in order to fortify civil peace on the political, security, social, and economic levels.”
The GLC has been calling for raising the minimum wage to LL1,250,000, an amount that is facing the rejection of business leaders and the government.
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