The Teachers Syndicate issued a statement clarifying that amidst the ongoing discussions about the “Financial Gap” draft law approved by the government and referred to Parliament, and regardless of its technical opinion on this project, whether positive or negative, it records a basic observation regarding the lack of any mention or clear solution for the funds of syndicates, mutual aid funds, and compensations, especially the compensation fund for workers in the educational body in private schools.
The Syndicate reminded that these funds are not of a commercial or investment nature, but are fully dedicated to securing the future of retired teachers, and are considered non-profit funds that, on behalf of the state, undertake a core social responsibility of providing compensation and a dignified retirement for tens of thousands of members of the teaching body in the private sector.
It explained that these funds, including the teachers’ compensation and retirement fund, regularly guaranteed retirement rights, until the financial and economic crisis swept the country and deprived teachers of the real value of their compensation, by emptying it of its content in Lebanese pounds.
The Teachers Syndicate called on Parliament to introduce fundamental amendments to the proposed draft law, in a way that preserves the funds of compensation, retirement, and mutual aid funds, and restores their actual value, whether in Lebanese pounds or US dollars, to ensure their continued service to thousands of workers and retirees, and to compensate those who received compensation that completely lost its value during the crisis.
The Syndicate also announced that it is currently coordinating with the rest of the free professions syndicates to hold an urgent meeting and take joint measures to defend the rights of members, and to affirm the principle of not infringing on their funds and compensations, confirming that the necessary contacts have already begun in this context.
