The syndicate of the employees of Banque du Liban (BDL) has announced an “open strike to protest against amendments to their salaries” in the budget currently studied by the Cabinet.
This comes as an escalating step, knowing that the institution has its own internal systems and its own budget and is not subject to the state budget.
Amid rumors about an attempt to change the legal relationship between the BDL and the Ministry of Finance, Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil tweeted on Saturday: “All talk about a project to change the legal relationship between the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank is purely fabrication. The campaign is aimed at pumping false and suspicious information to hamper the adoption of the budget.”
The BDL staff convened on Saturday and announced their intention to escalate their moves to prevent any attempt to jeopardize their institution.
“Our position is united and the Central Bank will not be harmed. The political forces must assume responsibility for the unjust decisions they have taken,” a statement read.
The decision “has nothing to do with the governor of BDL,” it added, noting that “Governor Riad Salameh does not support the strike,” but acknowledged the staff’s legitimate right to call for their demands.
During its series of budget session to discuss an austere 2019 state budget, the Cabinet on Friday discussed several articles including ones related to reduction in salaries for BDL employees.
