The Public Administration Employees Association in Lebanon has firmly rejected the proposed 2025 budget, citing its failure to address the dire financial and social conditions of public sector workers.

The Association criticized the budget for not including any salary or pension increases and for ignoring the need to improve social benefits in the public sector. With staff shortages exceeding 70% across many departments, the Association expressed frustration at the lack of incentives despite mounting pressures on the workforce.

"We had previously suspended our protest actions out of a sense of responsibility and in recognition of the overall situation in the country. However, with the ongoing impoverishment and denial of our most basic rights to a dignified life for ourselves and our families, and after the government decided to dedicate its sessions to the study of the budget and submit it to parliament for approval, we now declare unequivocally that there will be no government sessions, no budget approval, and a strike by employees unless our key demands are met," the Association said in a statement. 

The demands outlined by the Association include:

1. Genuine Salary Adjustments: A comprehensive correction of salaries and wages, incorporating all increases into the base salary to restore the purchasing power of wages to pre-crisis levels.
2. Abolition of Unfair Incentives: The elimination of what the Association calls "fabricated incentives" and assistance schemes, such as productivity bonuses and perseverance allowances, which create disparities between departments and employees.
3. Pension Recalculation: A recalculation of pension benefits, with a commitment to securing 85% of the base salary and efforts to restore pensions to 100% of their original value.
4. Restoration of Social Benefits: The reinstatement of pre-crisis healthcare and medical services for public sector employees.

The Association called on all public sector employees to "resist the plan to impoverish you and weaken the public sector," urging workers to be prepared to take action, including gathering in front of the Government Palace next Tuesday and mobilizing in public squares across the country when necessary.

The Association also warned that a general strike and work stoppage would be declared if their demands are not met, urging members to await further instructions. This move reflects the growing tension between public sector employees and the government over worsening economic conditions and unfulfilled promises of reform.