The Union of Workers and Employees of Electricité du Liban announced a warning strike and sit-in at all centers and departments of the institution on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Tuesday, on April 12, 13, 15, and 18, 2023, inclusive. During this period, no operations on the public network will be conducted, except for those posing a risk to public safety, unless coordinated with the union. They also stated there will be no receipt or delivery of fuel, including the unloading of ships, in adherence to their decision, while keeping meetings open to take further appropriate actions.
In a statement following a meeting of its members today, the union clarified that "the disregard for acquired rights regarding the cancellation of the reduction according to Article 75 of the 2001 Public Budget Law, which the Ministry of Finance has relied upon in refusing to approve the benefit of the reduction in the electricity consumption fee for employees, workers, and contractors at Electricité du Liban, is evident. The wording is clear as the term 'the exemptions and fees specified in Article 75 are canceled' has been used."
The union pointed out that "the cancellation targets matters that existed prior to the issuance of the cancellation text. The term 'canceled' cannot be used for something that may occur in the future; otherwise, we would use instead of 'canceled,' the terms 'prohibited,' 'warned,' or 'not allowed.' This was confirmed by the Constitutional Council in its decision No. 99/1 dated 23/11/1999, which stated that when the legislator enacts a law concerning rights, it cannot modify or cancel the effective texts guaranteeing these rights without providing more substantial or at least equally effective and guaranteed texts. Therefore, the legislator should not weaken the guarantees established by previous laws."
