"I wrote in the only language that they understand," a private school teacher says of his banner at the 5,000-strong march. (Photo: Al-Akhbar - Sandra al-Hadi)
Lebanon's unions launched "the revolution of the hungry" as thousands flocked to the streets to demand the enactment of an agreed upon pay raise and an enhanced social security package Wednesday.
Teachers and public workers have been on an open-ended strike since February 19 over delays to a salary scale hike first passed by cabinet more than 18 months ago. It awaits parliament's approval.
Union Coordination Committee chief Hana Ghareeb delivered an impassioned speech declaring the 5,000-strong march the start of "the revolution of the hungry", and threatened to call for a country-wide, general strike if the issue continues to be stalled.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati vowed last week to refer the salary plan to parliament on Monday, but did not deliver. An estimated $1.2 billion would be needed to finance the hike.
Minister of Economy and Trade Nicolas Nahas said Monday that funding the wage hike requires further study in order to balance budget and funding. The minister added that the cabinet will not take any step before studying its consequences on the economy.
Many of the protesters leveled their chants and banners at Nahas and other business leaders, such as Chamber of Commerce chief Mohammed Choucair, who are staunch opponents of the salary hikes.
"We're with the Union Coordination Committee, against the Committee of Thieves," said one placard held by a protester in a Guy Fawkes mask, in an apparent reference to economic committees against the salary revisions.
Meanwhile, activists accused TV media outlets of under-reporting Wednesday's march, devoting larger chunks of air time to factional issues, soap operas and Pope Benedict's farewell ceremony in the Vatican.
"I think politics is nothing compared to someone demanding their right to live, and to live with dignity," one protester, a student at Notre Dame University, told Al-Akhbar.
"Teachers raised us. If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t have gotten where we have in life, we wouldn’t have gone to universities. If we don’t stand by their side, who will?"
Teachers and public workers marched in droves from the popular inner-city neighborhood of Barbir to the prime minister's office (the Serail) in central Beirut. They hailed from all parts of Lebanon to say, "We are fed up."
The protest is considered to be the largest economic protest since the end of the country's civil war (1975-1990)."We need laws that protect our rights. We are fed up. I have been teaching for thirty years. I have a family and children in universities. How can I live?" said one woman who teaches at Beirut's International College, considered one of the country's most prestigious schools.
Starting salaries in schools range between $500 and $800, and go up to around $1,300 for those with several decades of experience.
"I made this poster, these are all symbols that I just made up," said one artist and teacher at a private school in Aintoura. He was carrying a yellow poster with pseudo-heiroglyphics that alluded to a famous Arabic swear word (see photo).
"I wrote in the only language that they understand. They keep promising and lying. We should have done that a long time ago, but we just kept postponing it for the sake of our students. But we reached a point where it is intolerable, and now we’re here today."
[Reporting by Sandra al-Hadi and Ahmad Nassar]
(Al-Akhbar)
Teachers and public workers have been on an open-ended strike since February 19 over delays to a salary scale hike first passed by cabinet more than 18 months ago. It awaits parliament's approval.
Union Coordination Committee chief Hana Ghareeb delivered an impassioned speech declaring the 5,000-strong march the start of "the revolution of the hungry", and threatened to call for a country-wide, general strike if the issue continues to be stalled.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati vowed last week to refer the salary plan to parliament on Monday, but did not deliver. An estimated $1.2 billion would be needed to finance the hike.
Minister of Economy and Trade Nicolas Nahas said Monday that funding the wage hike requires further study in order to balance budget and funding. The minister added that the cabinet will not take any step before studying its consequences on the economy.
Many of the protesters leveled their chants and banners at Nahas and other business leaders, such as Chamber of Commerce chief Mohammed Choucair, who are staunch opponents of the salary hikes.
"We're with the Union Coordination Committee, against the Committee of Thieves," said one placard held by a protester in a Guy Fawkes mask, in an apparent reference to economic committees against the salary revisions.
Meanwhile, activists accused TV media outlets of under-reporting Wednesday's march, devoting larger chunks of air time to factional issues, soap operas and Pope Benedict's farewell ceremony in the Vatican.
"I think politics is nothing compared to someone demanding their right to live, and to live with dignity," one protester, a student at Notre Dame University, told Al-Akhbar.
"Teachers raised us. If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t have gotten where we have in life, we wouldn’t have gone to universities. If we don’t stand by their side, who will?"
Teachers and public workers marched in droves from the popular inner-city neighborhood of Barbir to the prime minister's office (the Serail) in central Beirut. They hailed from all parts of Lebanon to say, "We are fed up."
The protest is considered to be the largest economic protest since the end of the country's civil war (1975-1990)."We need laws that protect our rights. We are fed up. I have been teaching for thirty years. I have a family and children in universities. How can I live?" said one woman who teaches at Beirut's International College, considered one of the country's most prestigious schools.
Starting salaries in schools range between $500 and $800, and go up to around $1,300 for those with several decades of experience.
"I made this poster, these are all symbols that I just made up," said one artist and teacher at a private school in Aintoura. He was carrying a yellow poster with pseudo-heiroglyphics that alluded to a famous Arabic swear word (see photo).
"I wrote in the only language that they understand. They keep promising and lying. We should have done that a long time ago, but we just kept postponing it for the sake of our students. But we reached a point where it is intolerable, and now we’re here today."
[Reporting by Sandra al-Hadi and Ahmad Nassar]
(Al-Akhbar)
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| Local Editor | ||||
 The Syndicate Coordination Committee in Lebanon organized a protest Wednesday that headed towards the Grand Serail in Down Town Beirut and demanded that a new salary scale be referred to the Lebanese parliament.The protest took off from the Barbir region to the Grand Serail, as participants raised banners saying: “We will not end the open strike until the salary scale is referred to the Parliament without any delay or neglect.” Another banner said “fund the salary scale from wasted money and corruption…” For his part, Head of the SCC Hanna Gharib said that “our movement today is not the climax, but a direct indication that they must understand well.” Gharib added: “This movement is the beginning of the starved people’s uprising in Lebanon,” and called for “referring the salary scale in accordance to the agreement.” He warned of manipulating with teachers’ rights, saying: “Respect your signatures and act responsibly so that Lebanon would have officials up to the Lebanese people’s standards”. | ||||
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