Transport unions and associations in Lebanon held a meeting that included all components of land transport unions and associations, chaired by Bassam Tleis, with the presence of the President of the General Labor Union in Lebanon, Dr. Bashara Asmar, Vice President Hassan Faqih, Secretary General Saad Edin Hamidi Saqr, and a crowd of independent unions at the headquarters of the General Labor Union. The meeting began with a speech by Tleis, who considered that "the transport sector has reached an unbearable state." He stated, "We have endured a lot and listened to big words. Every public driver from any category who speaks is right and his reference is the union, and this is an incentive for us to act more responsibly."
He added, "We know that all economic sectors are affected by the dollar exchange rate, but what we do not know and what politicians should know is what they have done to confront the matter? What is the state of the dollar and its impacts on the people? The most affected sector is the land transport sector, which acts in place of the state and is the vital artery connecting Lebanese regions to each other. Is this sector rewarded with the failure to meet its demands and the fight against private cars, 'tuk-tuks,' and fake license plates? You have brought us to the bottom. We say to everyone that political work is one thing and union demands are another. I am responsible before the unions; you have tasked me to represent you, and I must fulfill my duty fully. We put a public transport plan in place in 2011. We want to achieve integration between the public and private sectors for the people so they do not feel that there is a shortage, and the state is not responsible for its situation, so how can it fulfill its duties? What government are we waiting for? It is required from the Prime Minister to place the issue of the land transport sector on the agenda of the first cabinet meeting."
He concluded: "The presidency of the General Labor Union is concerned, and the unions and associations of the land transport sector in Lebanon are part of this union; therefore, I do not allow myself to announce the movement that Dr. Bashara Asmar, the president of the labor union, will announce and specify its date."
The head of the labor union spoke and greeted everyone and the land transport sector saying: "In light of the repercussions of state institutions falling one after another, the prices are exorbitant, and the dollar is soaring without a ceiling, the union stands looking at a cold executive authority. The land transport sector suffers what it suffers. A public driver will not be able to buy gasoline. Social security cannot provide for the insured, nor is there a way to obtain medicine. Locally produced medicines are lacking. The educational sector is collapsing with numerous strikes and dialogues leading to no results. In the public sector, employees cannot reach their work. Sessions for increasing compensations and salaries and converting end-of-service indemnities into pensions started with economic bodies on the basis of a dollar at 36,000 lira, which has not yet been applied. The dark rooms rob the citizen, and the Sayrafa project robs the currency and withdraws the dollar. A state controls the pain and sorrow of the people. There must be a stand against these policies, especially what we witnessed last week: conflict in front of the judiciary, and a responsible position that takes all these matters into account from the military apparatus and its personnel, who are exhausted. We always stand by them."
Asmar said: "The General Labor Union and the land transport unions and the unions affiliated with the General Labor Union are in dialogue with the executive authority, but we have not reached anything yet. Therefore, on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, there will be a meeting of the executive council of the General Labor Union which will announce a strike across Lebanon on Wednesday, February 8, 2023. The land transport sector and all unions in independent public and private interests, government hospitals, the coordination committee of teachers, and independent professions will participate. The main demand of the General Labor Union is the immediate election of a president of the republic and addressing issues according to the constitution, as the situation has worsened and must be addressed quickly. This stand will be prepared for all over Lebanon, and there will be no roadblocks for anyone, and we call on the security forces to protect gatherings, and we invite everyone to prepare for this strike."
Tleis called on "all components of the land transport sector who are suffering the most to prepare for the strike on February 8, which will be an uprising for public drivers, and a press conference will be held next Monday at the headquarters of the General Labor Union." He said: "We will not allow anyone to turn fuel into a problem between public drivers and citizens. The driver is also a citizen, and the state must bear its responsibilities."
