On Wednesday, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) announced the suspension of its strike and the resumption of work on Thursday in all of the institution’s directorates and offices. NSSF Director Mohammad Karaki called on policyholders and employers to visit their offices in order to complete their formalities.
NSSF employees have been on strike since Monday, demanding the implementation of their demands for salary increases.
Karaki’s decision came as a result of negotiations with the caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, caretaker Minister of Labor Moustafa Bayram, and the head of the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers, Bechara Asmar. Mikati indicated that the employees’ demands were justified and that they were covered by a decree stipulating the payment of four salaries. He instructed Bayram to resolve the situation as soon as he returned from the International Labor Conference in Geneva, and to take the necessary measures to give the employees their rights.
Moreover, Karaki promised to supplement these corrective measures by increasing the contract and reimbursement rates of the NSSF. This shall be done within the limits of the financial capacities available in light of the additional income generated by the increase in the basic wage.
