The Christian MPs are expected to boycott the second day of a
parliamentary session on Tuesday in protest the parliament’s approval of
permanently employing Electricite du Liban’s contract workers, local newspapers
said.
Change and Reform bloc MPs, led by Free Patriotic Movement leader
Michel Aoun, and Lebanese Forces and Phalange Party lawmakers are heading
toward boycotting the session, demanding the parliament to rectify “the
mistake” made on Monday.
Change and Reform source told As Safir newspaper that the bloc
will challenge the approved draft-law before the constitutional council.
“It’s the least we can do,” the source stated.
The parliament approved, during the first of a two-day legislative
session that kicked off on Monday, the full-time employment of EDL contract
workers, who will have to sit for a closed exam, which will be held by the
Civil Service Board.
The lawmakers introduced several amendments to the draft-law.
LF sources told al-Akhbar newspaper that the three parties decided
to boycott Tuesday’s session in protest against Speaker Nabih “Berri’s
performance.”
Change and Reform bloc MP Simon Abi Ramia told Voice of Lebanon
radio (100.5) that there is “no official stance yet as to our participation in
the today’s legislative session.”
Energy Minister Jebran Bassil called on Monday on Christian
Ministers and MPs to assume their responsibilities as the approval of EDL
workers’ full-time employment would destabilize the sectarian balance in the
company.
Bassil noted that around 80 percent of the contract workers belong
to non-Christian sects and most of them support Berri, who is a Shiite.
The boycott is “imperative,” Phalange party sources told the
daily, calling on the parliament to vote again on the issue.
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http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/45286
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