Starting today, Lebanon ends public service subsidization with the telecommunications sector adopting the new tariff, which increased sevenfold. In return, salary increases remain modest.

While the increases in internet service prices are justified, the majority of Lebanese have yet to see salary increases that allow them to enjoy a minimum standard of living.

The researcher at the International Information Group Mohammed Chamseddine emphasized that salaries have increased in LBP compared to before the crisis, but the balance between basic citizen needs and income is still lacking.

Public sector salaries have increased by seven times, and some private sector companies have resorted to dollarizing part of the salary or increasing it once or twice, ranging from 15 to 20 million Lebanese pounds.

Chamseddine explained that despite some prices increasing between 100 and 120 times, wages have increased by at most 10 times, indicating a significant gap between wage increases and price hikes.

Few institutions have dollarized salaries and maintained their value.

Chamseddine considered that the minimum wage should be no less than LBP 45 million, rather than the current LBP 9 million, as this amount barely covers basic citizen needs.