The Information Office of Deputy Prime Minister Health Minister Ghassan issued the following statement:

Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Ghassan Hasbani discussed the demands of the governmental hospital employees with the Minister of Finance Ali Hasan Khalil at the Cabinet table. They agreed to work immediately in order to proceed with the observations the Ministry of Finance will submit regarding the way to implement the salary scale law, including the role of the hospital boards of Directors for legal procedures.

Health Minister has already submitted the salary scales of the employees to the Ministry of Finance more than one month ago. He has also submitted a draft law on the amendment of the governmental hospital employees working hours to the Legislation and Consultation Committee at the Ministry of Justice to put forward an opinion.

Health Minister will hold a series of meetings next week with all the concerned parties, including the Ministry of Finance, the administrations of hospitals and the employees to overcome obstacles to the implementation of the salary scales law. The majority of the employees showed understanding to the course of action, and they informed the Health Ministry that they wouldn’t participate in strikes or sit-ins to ensure the citizens’ health and the full legal course of action.

Health Minister Ghassan Hasbani emphasized his support to the employees’ rights and his commitment to work with the concerned parties for the implementation of the law. He hoped that everyone would collaborate for the benefit of the citizen in need of treatment, and that the discussion would be kept within the legal framework and the public order.