Primary Teachers Plead with Parliament Speaker for Urgent Session on Salary Increases

The Basic Education Teachers Association has submitted a formal letter to Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri requesting that he schedule an urgent parliamentary session focused on livelihood matters and to authorize the necessary budget allocations to fund a pending salary increase for the public sector.

In their correspondence, the association praised Berri's role as a stabilizing force in the country and his commitment to national unity and the welfare of citizens. The teachers acknowledged their extended patience as their salaries have eroded, leaving them struggling at or below the poverty line. They noted that previous administrations failed to address their concerns, and credited Berri's direct intervention in linking budget approval to government commitments regarding sector-wide salary improvements.

The association highlighted that the government approved a six-fold salary increase in its February 16 session, valued at approximately 150 to 200 dollars at best. However, they pointed out that the government delayed submitting a request to open the necessary credits until late April—a stark contrast to the speed with which it approved and began collecting increased gasoline taxes.

The teachers acknowledged that Berri had included the opening of appropriations in a previously scheduled parliamentary session, but noted that circumstances surrounding an amnesty project prompted the postponement. They stressed that economic pressures cannot wait, as inflation continues to erode their purchasing power and the proposed salary increase loses value with each passing day.

The association concluded their appeal by urging Berri to convene a parliamentary session dedicated to livelihood issues at the earliest opportunity. They called for the allocation of funds to implement the salary increase and for the approval of measures to alleviate the financial hardship facing citizens.