Abboud Criticizes Nahhas’ Wage Hike Proposal but Says No Political Message behind it
Tourism Minister Fadi Abboud stressed on Friday that the approval of a wage hike decree proposed by Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas was not aimed at sending a political message to Premier Najib Miqati.
“It is all about (defending) the authorities of the ministers,” Abboud told Voice of Lebanon radio station (93.3) about a decision by Hizbullah, Amal and Free Patriotic Movement ministers to back Nahhas’ proposal rather than supporting a previous suggestion made by Miqati.
The FPM ministers insist that Miqati infringed on Nahhas’ authorities on December 7 when he made his own proposal on a wage hike. But on Wednesday, the three parties’ ministers voted on the decree suggested by the labor minister in what was seen as a political message sent to the PM.
While the tourism minister said he voted in favor of the proposal in order to show unity with his bloc, he stressed in remarks to al-Joumhouria daily that the wage hike is “illogical” and would lead to “the collapse of the national economy.”
Both Abboud and Nahhas are from FPM chief Michel Aoun’s Change and Reform bloc.
The new cabinet decision calls for raising the minimum wage to LL868,000 from the current LL500,000 – a sum that includes a LL236,000 transportation allowance.
Workers earning less than LL1.5 million receive an 18 percent increase while salaries between LL1.5 million and LL2.5 million receive an additional 10 percent on the second salary bracket. Wages above LL2.5 million will not earn an additional increase.
The raise is effective as of Dec. 1, 2011. But the Shura Council will have the final say on it.
Abboud stressed that despite his criticism of the wage hike, he was proud of having multiple views in the Change and Reform bloc.
over 12 years
"It is all about (defending) the authorities of the ministers,”
"the wage hike is “illogical” and would lead to “the collapse of the national economy.”
So, the best way to settle your scores within the cabinet is to punish the citizens of your very own country... I think we have just hit a new low in Lebanon.
over 12 years
The minister says its illogical and would lead to the collapse of the national economy, and yet you voted for it?? so if you had a say you would have said no, but since you are a puppet you voted yes clearing knowing and stating to the media its illogical and would lead tot eh collapse of the economy. So are you really protecting the Lebanese or just your sorry self? or is it telling your high profile friends who have big companies like yourself, look guys im sorry my hands are tied? Truth is Mr Minister you sir are a HIPOCRIT!
You ministers are all the, different colour but same smell, and aint pretty! Merry Christmas to all of you! My wish from Santa is that you all leave us alone in peace!
over 12 years
Pffff.... congratulations...and thank you for confirming that this was only a political maneuver aimed at preserving Mrs Aoun and Nahas ego at the expense of the country...PATHETIC!!!
over 12 years
اكيد مش موافق زلمي عنده شركات و موظفين كيف بده يدفعلهم زودات و هو وافق على المشروع بس كرمال عيون نحاس و عون
over 12 years
Typical aljamhouriya lies and propaganda to tarnish the great work of the Change and Reform bloc's work for the Lebanese people.
over 12 years
Luxembourg Bob, you can see and hear Abboud say the same thing on the LBC and VLL and anyone who would listen, do you believe you eyes and ears of you would doubt them if the general told you to?
a great achievement to the tayyar of change and reform !!