Workers prepare for a nationwide strike

Lebanon is heading toward a potential nationwide strike on Wednesday 30 September 2026, as the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers (GCLW), transport unions, education sectors, and other labor groups intensify pressure on the government over worsening living conditions and declining purchasing power.

At the center of the discussions is the demand for a comprehensive adjustment of wages and benefits to reflect the economic realities facing Lebanese workers.

The main demands: Wages, benefits, and controlling rising costs

The General Confederation of Lebanese Workers (GCLW) has identified the increase of the minimum wage and adjustments to wage-related benefits as its primary demands.

In an interview with The Beiruter, GCLW President Bechara Al Asmar explained that the union’s main priorities include the minimum wage and what he described as “wage supplements,” particularly transportation allowances and education-related benefits.

“These supplements include transportation allowances and school grants,” Al Asmar said, adding that other issues, such as monitoring price increases and addressing private school tuition fees, would require further discussions with the relevant ministries.

For workers’ representatives, the issue is not limited to salaries alone. They argue that wages have failed to keep pace with inflation and the increasing cost of essential goods and services, leaving large segments of society struggling to maintain basic living standards.

The unions are also demanding stronger government oversight of prices, particularly in sectors directly affecting households, including fuel, transportation, and education.

The transport sector’s grievances: Fuel prices, competition, and delayed reforms

The transport sector has emerged as one of the main drivers behind the planned strike.

On 23 September 2026, Head of the Land Transport Sector Unions Bassam Tleis announced a nationwide strike and protests involving all categories of land transportation, including trucks, refrigerated transport, tankers, buses, minibuses, and public taxis. The decision followed an exceptional meeting held by transport unions at the headquarters of the GCLW.

According to Tleis, the sector faces a series of accumulated problems, ranging from rising fuel prices and unfair competition to delays in implementing previously agreed government decisions.

One of the main concerns raised by transport unions is the impact of fuel prices on drivers’ operating costs. They argue that repeated increases in fuel prices have placed significant pressure on drivers, who are forced to absorb higher expenses while facing limits on their ability to increase fares without further burdening passengers.

Tleis also criticized what he described as delays in implementing agreements reached with the government, particularly those related to supporting drivers and regulating the sector.

Beyond fuel prices, transport unions have highlighted concerns over regulatory issues affecting public transportation. Tleis stressed the need to protect licensed drivers from what unions consider unfair competition, including private vehicles and motorcycles operating as unofficial taxis without meeting the same legal requirements.

According to transport representatives, the problem is not between drivers and passengers, but rather between affected sectors and the government’s responsibility to enforce existing laws.

The unions have also raised concerns regarding vehicles that have been seized due to regulatory issues, arguing that drivers who legally registered their vehicles should not bear the consequences of later changes in legislation.

The issue of external transportation and transit agreements with Syria has also entered the debate. Tleis questioned whether transport unions are sufficiently involved in discussions affecting cross-border transportation, goods transit, and related regulations.

Government efforts to avoid escalation

Despite announcing the strike, discussions between unions and government officials have continued in an attempt to reach preliminary solutions.

A meeting of the Wage Index Committee was scheduled to address several demands, including wage adjustments and possible measures related to workers’ benefits.

According to Al Asmar, discussions were also underway regarding the implementation of an agreement providing a monthly lump-sum payment of LBP 12 million for legally registered drivers affiliated with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

However, he highlighted that this measure alone would not resolve all outstanding issues. The agreement, he explained, would not replace broader negotiations needed to address the remaining demands.

The government has also formed a ministerial committee involving the ministries of Economy, Energy, Education, and Labor to examine the unions’ proposals and seek possible solutions.

Labor representatives, however, remain cautious about the outcome of these meetings. Al Asmar stated that while dialogue was ongoing, he was not highly optimistic about the immediate results of the Wage Index Committee.

A warning strike with possible further escalation

According to Al Asmar, the 30 September strike is intended as a warning action rather than an open-ended shutdown. He explained that the unions would evaluate the situation following the strike and decide on future steps depending on the government’s response.

The planned mobilization reflects broader frustration among workers who feel increasingly affected by Lebanon’s prolonged economic crisis. Al Asmar described workers as among the most vulnerable groups in society, suffering from declining purchasing power and deteriorating living conditions.

He stressed that the current crisis should not be viewed through a political lens, but rather as a consequence of difficult economic circumstances affecting broad segments of the population.

The upcoming strike represents another significant challenge for Lebanon’s government as it attempts to balance fiscal constraints with growing social demands. Indeed, the outcome of the Wage Index Committee meetings and ongoing negotiations will determine whether Wednesday’s strike becomes averted through compromise or marks the beginning of a new phase of labor mobilization across Lebanon.