Nahhas Challenges Cabinet, Reiterates Refusal to Approve Transportation Allowance

Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas reiterated on Monday that he would not resign from the cabinet, but stressed that he refused to approve the transportation and education allowances decree.

“If some members (of the cabinet) don’t like my stance, then all they could do is to try to guarantee 20 ministers to approve my resignation,” he told As Safir newspaper.

Last week, the cabinet approved a wage hike decree which sets the minimum wage at LL675,000, canceling a LL200,000 increase in wages given on 1/1/2010. The increase on brackets sets the raise on the first bracket up to LL400,000 to 100 percent , a sum that wouldn’t be less than LL375,000 while the increase on the second bracket – up to LL1.5 million- would include the first LL400,000 plus a 9 percent raise.

The raise excludes the transportation and education allowances.

It contradicts with a plan proposed by the Labor Minister and approved by the Shura Council, which sets the minimum wage at LL800,000 that includes the transportation allowance.

Nahhas, who is loyal to Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, noted that ministers are tasked with applying the law not violating it.

He said that the transportation and education allowances decree doesn’t only violate the Lebanese constitution but the international treaties and agreements that define the meaning of wages.

He stressed that his rejection to sign it “is not a personal” issue and that Aoun supports his position.

The cabinet has tasked the Labor Minister to prepare a draft law on the transportation and education allowances and refer it to the parliament for adoption.

Asked about those who are saying that he has to comply with the cabinet’s decision, Nahhas considered that the government does not have the authority to issue an allowance transportation decree, saying: “Nothing forces me to comply with it (the cabinet) in violating the law, since the constitution tasks the minister to maintain the law not violate it.”

“They want me to back down on a decision that preserves the law and constitution,” As Safir quoted Nahhas as saying.

According to al-Liwaa newspaper, the cabinet is expected to tackle the issue during its session scheduled to be held on Monday at the Baabda Palace.

Sources told the newspaper that the Economic Committees will continue to pay employees the old allowances pending a resolution on the dispute.

Sources close to Prime Minister Najib Miqati told al-Joumhouria newspaper published on Monday that the final decision on the matter would be in the hands of the cabinet as a whole.