Lebanon labor unions announce strikes amid rising inflation

Lebanon is facing escalating labor unrest as various sectors announce strikes and protests in response to the ongoing economic crisis and rising cost of living. The Association of Public Administration Employees has scheduled a strike for September 25, 2026, citing the erosion of transportation allowances due to fuel price hikes and inflation.

Similarly, the North Lebanon Water Establishment workers union has threatened escalation, noting that current transportation subsidies are insufficient to cover daily commuting costs. In the transport sector, union president Bassam Tleiss confirmed a planned strike for next Wednesday, emphasizing that the movement is driven by a need for tangible implementation of demands rather than mere government promises.

On a broader scale, Paul Zeitoun, head of the Lebanese Confederation of Trade Unions, warned that the government's inability to manage the hyperinflation of food, fuel, and electricity prices could trigger a massive popular uprising. Economic experts have cautioned that without structural reforms, simple wage increases may trigger a wage-price spiral, further devaluing the local currency and exacerbating the national financial collapse.