Miqati Says Cabinet Not against Improving Wages

Prime Minister Najib Miqati said on Saturday that no one is against improving wages, but several issues must be taken into consideration before carrying out this demand.

“No one is against improving wages, however, we should take into consideration the consequences that might be behind this raise like inflation, unemployment and the state treasury,” Miqati said after meeting with speaker Nabih Berri.

If a solution with the authorities is not reached by Oct. 12, the General Labor Confederation will go ahead with its plan to hold a nation-wide strike that will bring the country’s economic sector to a standstill.

Miqati stressed that “any raise in wages should have a positive effect on the economic sectors in the country.”

The meeting was held at Ain Tineh in the presence of Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil.

“We are all keen on safeguarding the country,” he said.

The PM noted that the cabinet is carrying out its duties amid the turmoil the region is passing through, saying: “the most important issue is preserving Lebanon’s interests, civil peace, unity and stability.”

GLC is calling for more than doubling the minimum wage, from LL500,000 to LL1,250,000.

The 2012 budget has proposed increasing the value added tax from 10 to 12 percent amid differences between politicians and officials on the tax increases. But it is yet to be approved by the cabinet and parliament.