The "National Bloc" stated that "the government's decision to increase salaries for employees in certain public sectors without others and to pay in US dollars represents a continuation of the patchwork approach and lack of strategy adopted by the caretaker government."
In a statement, it noted: "Similar to the approval of the salary and wage series in 2017 without any scientific study, the government of Najib Mikati approved yesterday a salary increase outside of the budget, without specifying funding sources. May we ask where the funds for these increases will come from? From the remaining mandatory reserve at the Central Bank of Lebanon? Or, as usual, from printing Lebanese currency which increases inflation? Or from a new increase in taxes and fees on the legitimate economy that will weaken it even more against the informal economy?"
It concluded: "Reviewing the salaries and wages of the public sector is essential after the collapse, especially to maintain the remaining competent employees in the administration, but it must be accompanied by a complete restructuring of the public sector to purify it from corruption, reduce its size, and modernize it. Most importantly, it should be coupled with a comprehensive economic recovery plan that prioritizes reform and economic growth, which alone can revive the economy and provide organic financial resources for the Lebanese state."
