Lebanese Workers Strike 3rd Day to Press for Government Action on Economic Crisis

BEIRUT — Christian and Muslim workers, angered by government inaction to combat the country’s economic crisis, stayed away from work for a third successive day Saturday.

Shops, banks and businesses remained shut in the longest nationwide general strike that residents could remember.

Antoine Bichara, head of the General Labor Federation, leading the three-day stoppage, threatened to call a strike to last up to one month “if officials continue to disregard their duties.”

The decision to prolong the protest for a third day was taken despite Thursday’s meeting of rival Christian and Muslim Cabinet ministers, the first in seven months.

“The ministerial meeting did not produce the tangible results anticipated,” Bichara said.

Nine members of the national unity government attended the session. A communique said they agreed to meet again this week.

There was no word on whether the main demands of the General Labor Federation had been discussed.

These include a 60% across-the-board pay increase to keep pace with price increases, government-sponsored imports of medicines and other basic necessities, as well as action on unemployment, housing, education and health.