Collective Action
EDL workers, riot police clash at protest in Beirut
Electricite du Liban contract workers briefly blocked a main highway during a protest that erupted into intermittent clashes with riot police.
The workers, who initially were demonstrating at EDL headquarters in Beirut’s Mar Mikhael, headed to the adjacent highway, blocking it and bringing traffic to a halt.
President of the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers Bechara Asmar urged the protesters to head back to the headquarters, saying that their action would impact other Lebanese citizens.
EDL per diem workers called for the protest to be held in solidarity with EDL worker Hasan Akel, who was slapped by an Internal Security Forces officer last week during a protest. The workers were also planning to hold a news conference inside the customer's hall to relay their demands, including their call for long-term contracts and payment of late salaries. The hall, however, was blocked by riot police.