The heads of units in the General Finance Directorate (Revenue and Value Added Tax Directorate, Expenditures Directorate, General Accounting Directorate, Public Debt Directorate, Finance of Nabatieh, Finance of North Lebanon, Finance of Akkar, Finance of Bekaa, Finance of Mount Lebanon, Finance of Baalbek-Hermel) met in coordination with the Treasury Directorate, Budget Directorate, Expense Monitoring Directorate, Administrative Affairs Directorate, and Finance of Southern Lebanon. They discussed escalating measures following consecutive meetings and discussions, as well as strikes carried out by employees of the General Finance Directorate, who are demanding a minimum living standard amid the significant deterioration of their salaries that makes it impossible to meet their families' needs. Despite the honorable attempts of the Minister of Finance to assist, no solution was reached to ensure employees receive at least their basic rights.
The attendees discussed the challenges and concerns facing employees of the Ministry of Finance, which include, for reference only:
1. The significant deterioration in purchasing power due to the decline in the exchange rate and rising prices.
2. The substantial increase in fuel prices and the rising cost of commuting to work.
3. The continuous power outages and the inability of regional financial directorates and institutions to secure fuel.
4. The difficulty in providing essential supplies to ensure the continuity of work, especially as the tasks assigned to them are very large and require a long time.
In light of the lack of seriousness in addressing employees' suffering and the arbitrary and inadequate partial solutions, it was decided "not to return to work or even attend for two days until the necessary minimum is secured immediately to pay the salaries of Ministry of Finance employees based on an exchange rate of 8,000 Lebanese pounds to the dollar and to equalize employees regarding coverage of commuting costs based on the calculation of fuel liters, considering their place of residence."
It is noted that this decision results from the daily suffering of employees, which threatens their families' livelihood, and is not directed against any privileges for colleagues in other departments and institutions. Consequently, the demand is for an immediate correction of the salaries of Ministry of Finance employees by adopting the platform price and securing fuel for employees to reach their jobs, as working for two days requires an amount equivalent to the monthly salary.
Therefore, we apologize in advance to the esteemed citizens and employees of public administrations for announcing an open strike for the directorates, services, and funds of the Ministry of Finance, and to the officials for the inability to be present at work, carry out tasks, and attend meetings.
We are very sorry for the current situation that has forced us into such a measure due to the disregard and lack of seriousness in addressing our crisis and the suffering we endure.
