• The Public Administration Employees Association has announced a nationwide strike for all public sector employees on October 23, in protest of declining service quality and wage devaluation.
• The association will hold a press conference on October 23 at 11:00 (local time) at the Hotel Technical Center in Beirut’s Dekwaneh.

1. The latest call to strike is the latest in a series of strikes organized by the association over the past several months, reflecting the continued dissatisfaction with the government’s efforts to address Lebanon’s systemic socioeconomic crisis. Earlier this month, the association announced a warning strike related to continued negotiations over salaries for public employees and an increase in mandatory pension deductions, which were raised by two percent. The association’s demands for increased wages reflects the precarious state of the Lebanese economy where inflation has eroded purchasing power and is contributing to Lebanon’s socioeconomic decline and deteriorating living conditions.
2. FORECAST: The strike is likely to draw moderate participation from public administration employees nationwide. Although negotiations may occur, the government is unlikely to implement significant wage increases aligned with protester demands, which could prolong the strike and sustain the potential for further protests. Consequently, widespread disruptions to government services are expected in the coming days.

Those operating or residing in Lebanon on October 23 are advised to allot for disruptions to public services due to the slated labor action.