Today, Friday, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri received the President of the General Labor Union Bashara Asmar and members of the union in the presence of the central labor official of the Amal Movement Ali Hamdan. Asmar spoke after the meeting: "The visit to the Prime Minister is a congratulatory one and to thank him for the significant efforts he has made to pass laws that benefit the labor class and teachers in the private sector. We also thank him for confirming continued support for cancer medications, following the meeting that took place between President Mikati, the Minister of Health, and the acting Governor of the Central Bank. This confirmation deserves appreciation."
Asmar added: "The pension and social protection law is a pivotal law in the life of the labor movement; this law would not have been issued without the insistence of President Nabih Berri and without the follow-up that took place. Thanks also to everyone who contributed to the maturation of this law, and the crux of the matter is always in its execution and the issuance of the necessary decrees. In this context, we requested a significant guarantee from the Prime Minister for prompt actions to issue these decrees. We also emphasized, as the General Labor Union, our support for teachers in private education—those confirmed, retired, and contracted—and our full support for their movement and the laws that have been issued which benefit them, such as the increase in contributions from 6% to 8% and the requirement for a clearance certificate."
He continued: "We also discussed the project to evaluate compensations in both the public and private sectors. There are proposed laws by MPs Charbel Massad and Tony Frangieh, which need to be studied for integration to reach a reassessment of compensations, which have become negligible for public sector employees, military personnel, retirees, or those governed by labor law."
He stated: "Therefore, within necessary legislation, this project should have a work space to ensure its completion as soon as possible. We also discussed the need for increases in the public sector to be fair and just for military personnel and retirees, as well as increases in the private sector. The Prime Minister supports the principle of increases in all sectors, and we, as the General Labor Union, will begin studies and discussions with economic entities to raise the minimum wage and increase transport allowances after the holidays."
Asmar concluded: "We also addressed the issue of oil facilities in the north, with President Berri, as always, supporting the labor movement."
Ghassan Skaf
President Berri also reviewed the general situation, political updates, and battlefield developments in light of the escalating Israeli aggression on Gaza and Lebanon and legislative matters during his meeting with MP Ghassan Skaf. Skaf said after the meeting: "I met with President Berri and we discussed the presidential issue and the developments happening in the region. Today, we see that all indicators suggest that the presidential file is once again rising on the priority list of international and regional gatherings, coinciding with progress in negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire or truce in Gaza."
Skaf added: "It seems that the next direction will be for international and regional movements towards Lebanon and the Lebanese presidency, and it looks like the resolution of the presidential entitlement issue will begin after the holiday break. Thus, the presidential file has become a regional priority, and we must work to make it an internal priority as well. Naturally, we need to organize our internal affairs to preempt any potential surprises—whether military or political—that may occur."
Skaf concluded: "President Berri has been and remains a safety valve for the country. I congratulated him on his national sensibility and his skillful management of the session for the extension of the army commander, in the manner in which it occurred, he was able to defuse a potential explosive situation, God forbid, for the military institution. Here, I would like to say to those preparing to challenge what was agreed upon or voted on regarding the extension of security agencies: they should understand that what is written is written and that wasting time is not in anyone’s interest."
British Ambassador
Berri also received the British Ambassador to Lebanon Hamish Cowell, where they reviewed the general situation in Lebanon and the region in light of Israel's continued aggression against Gaza and Lebanon.
