Public Sector Employees Association to join strike

The Public Sector Employees Association confirmed Monday participation in strike and demonstrations scheduled for Wednesday. “The Cabinet should drop its policy of procrastination and forward the [bolstered public sector] salary scale [draft law] to Parliament immediately,” it said in a statement. It added that the draft law represents a compromise “that we accepted despite flaws and injustices.” The statement reiterated that the new salary scale was vital to reform Lebanon’s ailing public sector and raise its productivity. It renewed rejection of new taxes, particularly those that could affect low and middle income families. “Extra spending proposed by the government [in 2012 budget] is above LL13 trillion and the new salary scale only represents 11 percent of the figure,” the statement added. Meanwhile, the Elementary Teachers Association issued a similar statement, vowing to fully participate in Wednesday’s strike and protests. The Association of Banks Employees also said they supported the strike led by the Union Coordination Committee. From DailyStar