In a crisis-ridden country, all sectors are suffering without exception, and unions are sequentially announcing strikes with various demands, but the outcome remains the same: unmet demands. In this context, the Union of Employees of the Central Bank of Lebanon announced a one-day strike tomorrow, Tuesday, in protest against the measures taken against the Central Bank and its employees by Judge Ghada Aoun, which conflict with legal procedures.
An economic source warned of the repercussions if this strike turns into an open-ended one, indicating that the work performed by Central Bank employees differs from that of state employees, as the Central Bank plays a crucial role in financial and economic activity. Any work stoppage will negatively and significantly impact the economy.
The source outlined the main repercussions, noting that the strike primarily affects the salaries of the public sector, since the disbursement order comes from the Ministry of Finance to the Central Bank, and the Ministry of Finance is the only one capable of managing state accounts. Thus, if those responsible for executing the disbursement order are not present, how could salaries be distributed?
Regarding the banking sector, banks withdraw funds from the Central Bank to meet their needs, which impacts the withdrawal of deposits and salaries, or what can be managed. If the strike becomes open-ended, the import process will halt due to the cessation of transfers abroad, with the medical sector, including hospitals and medications, being the first victim.
The most pressing question, according to the source, is what will happen to the Sayrafa platform if the strike prolongs, as its suspension would lead to further chaos in the black market. The source concluded by warning that turning the strike into an open-ended one would be catastrophic for a country that is already in ruins.
