Azour says resigned labor minister’s return complicates wage increases

 

Finance Minister Jihad Azour said the return of resigned Labor Minister Trad Hamadeh – at least to his tasks, if not to the ministry itself – had complicated the progress made by the Finance Ministry with the Labor Union and economic committees over the past two months to raise minimum wages in Lebanon.

 

“I cannot hold (Minister Hamadeh) accountable for his intentions, but the results were clear: They created tension which slowed the process,” Azour added.

 

“I have a feeling that this is a politicized issue,” he said.

 

Azour said the strike staged by the Teachers Syndicate on Thursday was “acceptable, natural and respectable.” He also emphasized the need to return to dialogue to deal with the rise in prices in Lebanon and its effect on Lebanese citizens.

 

“We can deal with the issue in social ways… but if the ordeal is used for political ends, this will only harm the economy and citizens and their livelihood.”

 

Azour said he hopes employers and employees will cooperate under the auspices of the government to improve the state of wages in Lebanon.