Conflict Incident Report

BEIRUT: National Social Security Fund employees rallied across Lebanon in protest of the state budget that they say could break the finances of the country’s social security system.

NSSF staff rejects articles 68 and 54 of the state budget, which would exempt the government and business owners of their dues to the NSSF.

The protest comes just one day after Health Minister Ghassan Hasbani warned that the health care system of Lebanon’s NSSF could collapse in a few years if it remains unable to cover its expenses.

The NSSF provides medical insurance and pensions for Lebanese employees. Employers are required to register their employees in the NSSF, and must pay into the fund on their behalf.

Protesters argued that the two articles would destabilize the finances of the institution, and would encourage employers to stop paying into the NSSF.

The Cabinet agreed on a state budget in March, following 14 heated meetings.

Lebanon has not ratified a state budget since 2005 due to political bickering between rivals.

This has led to extra-budgetary spending of billions of dollars, which has left the country’s battered economy burdened by over $74 billion in public debt.

NSSF employees in Tyre, Zahle and Baalbeck, southern city of Sidon, and Nabatieh also observed the two-hour strike.