Employees of Lebanon's telecom operator strike for pay raise

By Naim Burjawi
BEIRUT (AA) - Employees of Lebanon's state telecommunications operator Ogero on Tuesday started a general strike to demand higher pay.

In a statement, the Ogero's workers union said the strike was staged as a result of government's failure to increase salaries and provide allowances for employees.

There was no comment from the Lebanese authorities on the strike.

The Ogero operator is the main provider for telecommunications services in Lebanon, including mobile networks and internet.

Since late 2019, Lebanon has been grappling with a severe economic crisis, amid fuel and medicine shortage.

The Lebanese currency has lost 90% of its value, eroding people’s ability to access basic goods, including food, water, health care, and education, while fuel shortages have caused widespread electricity blackouts.

Almost 80% percent of Lebanon’s population now lives under the poverty line, with 36% in extreme poverty, according to UN estimates.

Writing by Ahmed Asmar