Parliament Adopts EDL Draft-Law with Modifications
A draft-law regarding the working status of Electricite du Liban contract workers was endorsed by the parliament on Wednesday with some modifications.
“The speaker and MPs agree on the suggestions demanded by the contract workers,” AMAL MP Ali Bazzi said from the parliament after the draft-law was adopted.
He pointed out during a press conference with Free Patriotic Movement MP Ibrahim Kanaan and Hizbullah MP Ali Ammar that “lawmakers are seeking to endorse various social demands according to the available capabilities.”
“Lawmakers and the legislation are found to lift injustice off citizens,” he added.
For his part, Ammar lauded the EDL workers committee, considering it carried the cause of those employees with “responsibility.”
The parliament session was adjourned to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday after it addressed a number of draft-laws.
Speaker Nabih Berri scheduled two legislative sessions for April 9 and 10.
EDL contract workers had held on Wednesday sit-ins to press the parliament adopt the draft-law with some modifications.
The workers gathered at the premises of EDL headquarter in Mar Mikhael as the parliament's second day legislative session kicked off.
Their colleagues also held sit-ins at the company’s branches across the country.
The contract employees have been holding a strike since Monday, calling on the parliament to adopt an original agreement reached with the government of former Premier Najib Miqati.
On Tuesday, Berri adjourned addressing the matter at the parliament until a seven-member parliamentary panel finishes discussions on the two proposals demanded by the contract workers.
The original agreement stated that around 1,800 contract employees would be upgraded to full-timers, however, the draft-law said that all workers should undergo an exam to determine their qualifications and those who pass would be upgraded.
The contract workers reject to undergo exams by Civil Service Commission and demand exams to be held by the company under CSC supervision.
The original agreement had said that the contract workers who fail would get a compensation amounting to two-month salary/year, however, under the draft-law the compensation would amount to one-month wage per year.
Most contract employees are loyal to Berri, who is the head of AMAL movement.
H.K.
M.T.
"Most contract employees are loyal to Berri, who is the head of AMAL movement."
Why would most contract employees be loyal to Berri and from a specific sect? Now, who is the sectarian.....!