Skip to main content

Lebanese Unions End Strikes As Economic Crisis Continues

Although Lebanese President Michel Suleiman has succeeded in ending a weeklong wave of public sector strikes that paralyzed much of Lebanon, the country’s economy still faces many challenges, writes Elie Hajj.
Teachers protest in front of the Grand Serail, the government headquarters in Beirut February 19, 2013. The teachers' Union Coordination Committee (UCC) announced an open-ended strike from Tuesday after the Cabinet failed to assemble on Monday to ratify a long-awaited wage hike to be sent to parliament for its approval.   REUTERS/Sharif Karim (LEBANON - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST EDUCATION) - RTR3DZA1
Read in 

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman succeeding in bringing an end to the weeklong wave of strikes that had paralyzed government bodies, public schools, and a large number of private schools by promising the Union Coordination Committee that he would meet the demands of the civil servants and teachers. This came after the union strikers conducted roaming sit-ins and demonstrations demanding the implementation of a previously sanctioned government resolution that would guarantee a wage hike for civil servants and teachers.

On Saturday night [March 2] the Union Coordination Committee decided to respond to the president’s pledge by announcing Sunday that it would stop the strikes but continue to hold demonstrations, sit-ins and general assemblies for three weeks.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.