BEIRUT: A coalition of state employees and public school teachers Friday warned of an indefinite strike if the draft 2019 state budget imposed cuts to their wages or end-of-service benefits. The Union Coordination Committee, a coalition of public school teachers and state employees, called on all teachers and employees to strike Monday and protest at Riad al-Solh Square at 3 p.m., warning of an indefinite strike and escalation.

In a news conference, the head of the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers Bechara Asmar also warned of a countrywide strike and protests if the budget imposed taxes or lowered workers wages.

Public sector employees in multiple administrations held a strike Friday, following a call by the League of Public Administration Employees to protest what it described as a discouraging atmosphere in discussions of the draft budget.

At the same time, dozens of military veterans met in Riad al-Solh to protest against proposed cuts to their end-of-service benefits, as Cabinet convened for its 14th session nearby at the Grand Serail to discuss the budget, though it failed to reach consensus.

Employees of the Jounieh Serail attended their offices but refused to work, instead hanging a poster on the entrance reading: We apologize today, and will serve you later, local media reported.

Amioun Serail employees also joined the strike, as did public sector employees in districts including Minyeh-Dinnieh and Aley, the state-run National News Agency reported.

Standing with a group of protesters in Beiruts Adlieh in front of the VAT Directorate, whose employees were also on strike, the head of the league Nawal Nasr told reporters that public administration workers would strike indefinitely if the budget reduced their wages or affected their rights.

Nasr had told local radio station Voice of Lebanon (100.3) that the strikes were legal, despite a memo circulated by Prime Minister Saad Hariri earlier this month warning against such action. In an administrative memorandum, Hariri called for the implementation of laws and regulations that prevented public institutions from being paralyzed or disabled. He said the laws [prohibit] an employee from striking at work or inciting a strike.

Meanwhile, a majority of Lebanese judges reportedly supported continuing their strike to protest the proposed austerity measures.

The NNA said the judges held a meeting Friday at the request of the Higher Judicial Council, whose members informed the judges about the outcomes of discussions it had held with officials on the budget.

The NNA reported that the strike would continue since the judges had left the meeting without deciding whether to suspend their protest.

After a number of missed deadlines to pass the budget, Cabinet, which will reconvene Sunday night, remains split over measures related to proposed cuts to public sector wages and benefits.

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