Lebanon transport unions threaten strikes amid fuel subsidy disputes

Public transport unions in Lebanon are renewing calls for a general strike and road blockades due to unfulfilled government promises regarding fuel subsidies. A previous agreement aimed to provide drivers with 12 million Lebanese pounds monthly to offset rising fuel costs, provided they maintain specific passenger tariffs. However, implementation has stalled as authorities work to verify driver licenses and combat forged plates.

In a separate move to address rising commuting costs, the Ministry of Labor has announced a new formula for daily transportation allowances for employees. Moving away from a fixed rate, the new allowance will be linked to fuel prices, calculated based on the cost of 5 liters of fuel per day. The daily allowance will have a minimum of 500,000 Lebanese pounds and a maximum ceiling of 800,000 Lebanese pounds, intended to mitigate the impact of fluctuating fuel prices on workers.