Economy of Lebanon - Salaries of Lebanon

Salaries of Lebanon

On the 15th of October 2011, after various unions, including the teachers union, the general workers union, and others threatened to strike, the minimum wage was raised by 40% (200,000 L.P- 133$) to 700,000L.P (466$). Most unions went ahead with the strike except the general workers union .

• Wages between minimal wage and 1,200,000L.P (800) were increased by 200,000 (133$) to become 700,000L.P (minimal wage) and 1,400,000 (933$) respectively .
• Wages more than 1,200,000 L.P up to 1,700,000L.P (1133$) were increased by 300,000L.P ( 200$) to become 1,500,000L.P (1000$) and 2,000,000L.P (1333$).
• Wages above 1,800,000L.P (1200$) were not increased.

The increase in wages was welcomed by most Lebanese but it also sparked criticism by many some workers unions, saying that the increases weren't up to expectations especially that employees earning more that 1200$ were not entitled to raises. Others criticized the raises altogether citing that it would burden small business that might end up closing altogether, those critics were mainly opposition politicians.

As of 2011 World Bank Analysis of Quality Life Index it was estimated that :

• -8% of the Lebanese People lives below Poverty line (2,500$)
• - 54% of the Lebanese People lives in the moderate middle class (9,000$) annually. 12% from 1998
• - 22% of the Lebanese People lives in the upper middle class (15,000 $ - 27,000$) annually. 19% from 1998
• - 4% of the Lebanese People lives in the highest Upper Class rich (30,000$ and above) annually 1% from 1998