Government decisions ignite confrontation... and a strike at Electricité du Liban

The Union of Workers and Employees of Electricité du Liban announced a warning strike on Monday and Tuesday, July 27 and 28, inside workplaces, in protest against what the Council of Ministers approved regarding the electricity sector reform plan, which includes separating the institution’s activities and restructuring it. The union said these measures could constitute a gateway to dismantling this public utility.

In a statement issued after its meeting, the union explained that it had previously called on the prime minister and ministers to involve it in discussions on the amendments related to the plan, particularly those affecting workers’ and employees’ rights and guaranteeing the continuity of their jobs, but its demands did not receive the required response.

The union also called on all directorates to inform it in advance of any requests related to preparing documents or tender specifications that would expand the powers of service provider companies, before taking any executive measures.

It stressed that the strike decision came as a result of what it described as the "disregard of its demands and indifference to workers’ concerns," noting that the strike would be limited to workplaces, with production plants, shift workers at main transformer stations, and the coordination department exempted, in order to preserve the continuity of vital facilities and public safety.

It added that no maneuvers on the electricity grid would be carried out during the strike period except in coordination with the union, and that no field work would be allowed except in cases requiring urgent intervention to avoid risks to public safety.