Ghosn Calls for Comprehensive Strike over Deteriorating Economic Situation

The General Labor Confederation (GLC) is planning on staging a comprehensive strike in Lebanon that would encompass all fields of society “to protest the deteriorating economic situation in Lebanon,” reported As Safir on Thursday.

The head of the GLC, Ghassan Ghosn, told the newspaper that a national conference that will include the syndicates of various professions, including the labor and education sectors, will be held in order to prepare for the strike.

Discussions are currently focusing on whether the conference should be held now or whether a warning would be issued until a government is formed upon which the union would present it with its demands, he said.

“The new government will not be granted a grace period. It should immediately address the people’s needs,” Ghosn stressed.

The transportation sector had decided to go on strike on Thursday to protest the soaring fuel prices and demand a price cap on rising gasoline prices, but it decided to call it off following talks with caretaker Finance Minister Rayya al-Hasan.