During a meeting headed by Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati, the interim cabinet resolved to push for a constructive scientific discussion to ensure regularity of wages without discrimination and independent of their diversity.

In statements to the press, caretaker Labor Minister Mustafa Bayram expressed the decision by the Council of Ministers to consider the possibility of doubling salaries after the approval of the budget and in light of the revenues to be collected.

In this regard, Bayram pointed out to issue an exceptional decree to provide social assistance equivalent to a full wage starting this month, as well as stop the increase in judges in accordance with the principle of equality among all employees.

The minister emphasized that the increase of transportation bonus and social assistance responds to the attendance to work of at least two days a week.

According to reports from specialized UN agencies, Lebanon is currently facing 890 percent inflation; a monthly minimum wage of less than 25 dollars, currency devaluation, high prices of basic goods and 2.2 million people are in need of food.

pgh/iff/acl/yma