Collective Action

 Employees in public institutions not covered in the recently passed salary scale law protested their exclusion.

A salary hike for public sector employees was approved by the government in July last year, though it has yet to be fully implemented, even for those institutions it targeted.

The demonstrators gathered in Riad al-Solh to call on the government for fairness and equality across public sector institutions.

Protestors, including staff from the Lebanese Standards Institution LIBNOR and the Center for Educational Research and Development, argued that although they often were required to work more hours than other public sector employees, they were not eligible to benefit from the wage hike.

The rally prompted Finance Minister Ali Hasan Khalil to accept to meet with a delegation from the protesting groups.

Khalil reportedly informed the delegation that there is willingness in parliament to address their grievances and that some of their demands will likely be met.