Lebanon: Welfare administrators to strike, protest May 15

Event

National Social Security Fund (CNSS) workers are planning to strike beginning Wednesday, May 15, in protest of proposed salary cuts. The union representing these workers is also planning a protest in front of the Grand Serail, or government palace, in Beirut at 11:00 (local time) on Wednesday. Associated disruptions, including a heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions, are possible. Further strikes and related demonstration cannot be ruled out.

Context

The government is proposing an austerity budget that would involve cuts to the salaries of CNSS administrators.

Advice

Individuals in Beirut, and Lebanon more general, are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all public demonstrations as a precaution, and anticipate localized disruptions near any protest events.