Beirut: The General Labour Confederation urged Finance Minister Yassine Jaber to secure funding for six additional salary payments to public sector employees and accelerate their disbursement, saying they were essential to help workers cope with Lebanon's economic crisis.
According to National news agency - Lebanon, following a meeting with Jaber, Confederation President Bechara Asmar also called for productivity allowances to be extended to employees of public institutions and autonomous agencies, increased compensation for arbitration council members, and additional funding for the Lebanese University's mutual fund to safeguard healthcare and social coverage for administrative staff and retirees.
Asmar reiterated the union's firm opposition to any 1% increase in value-added tax (VAT), warning that higher consumption taxes would directly raise the cost of goods and services and disproportionately affect low- and middle-income households. He said Jaber had expressed willingness to consider the proposals and follow up on the issues raised.