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Cost of Fuel Exceeds Minimum Wage in Lebanon

Lebanese bank customers hold pictures of the owners of Lebanese banks calling them "the enemies of society", during a protest in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, 11 June 2022. (EPA)
Lebanese bank customers hold pictures of the owners of Lebanese banks calling them "the enemies of society", during a protest in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, 11 June 2022. (EPA)
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Cost of Fuel Exceeds Minimum Wage in Lebanon

Lebanese bank customers hold pictures of the owners of Lebanese banks calling them "the enemies of society", during a protest in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, 11 June 2022. (EPA)
Lebanese bank customers hold pictures of the owners of Lebanese banks calling them "the enemies of society", during a protest in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, 11 June 2022. (EPA)

The price of a 20 liters of fuel crossed the minimum wage in Lebanon for the first time since the eruption of the country's economic crisis.

The cost of fuel reached 700,000 Lebanese pounds, or 25 dollars, on Saturday, while minimum wage stands at 675,000 LL.

The cost of fuel has risen with the rise of the dollar against the pound and surge in fuel prices around the world due to the Ukrainian crisis.

Fuel distributors met on Saturday to address the crisis.

Representative of the distributors, Fadi Abu Shakra blamed the crisis on the rise of oil prices worldwide and the hike in the dollar rate on the Sayrafa platform and black market.

The people will no longer be able to handle the burden with fuel selling at 700,000 pounds, he added.

Despite incurring losses, the distributors have never waned in providing fuel to the people, he stressed.

He revealed that the distributors have requested an urgent meeting with caretaker Energy Minister Walid Fayyad to address the difficulties they are facing.

Owners of gas stations are suffering losses due to the great fluctuation in the exchange rate of the dollar to the pound, Abu Shakra said.

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Arab World

Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
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Islamabad: 50,000 Pakistanis Are Missing in Iraq

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)
Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala. (EPA)

Pakistan’s Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain sparked controversy when he revealed that 50,000 Pakistanis have gone missing in Iraq over the years.

He urged the Baghdad government to immediately launch a probe into how the Pakistanis entered Iraq to visit religious sites during the month of Muharram, he was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s Ummat newspaper.

Islamabad is investigating how people have traveled outside Pakistan through illegal means, he remarked.

The permanent committee for religious affairs and interfaith harmony has since proposed new policies for trips to holy sites in foreign countries, including Iraq.

In Iraq, the minister’s comments drew mockery and condemnation on social media and sparked renewed debate over illegal workers in the country.

Politician Mishaan al-Juburi urged the government to make a statement over Hussain’s comments, warning that they may impact security and the labor force.

Hussain’s comments coincided with Iraqi police announcing the arrest of six Pakistanis in Baghdad on charges of theft.

Previously, military intelligence also announced the arrest of a nine-member Pakistani kidnapping and extortion gang in Baghdad. The gang had kidnapped foreigners for ransom.

Meanwhile, Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi expressed his concern and condemnation over the increasing number of illegal workers in Iraq.

He said his ministry will investigate the disappearance of the Pakistanis.

He confirmed that several tourists, including Pakistanis, have flocked to Iraq in recent days, and many have taken up employment without the necessary legal permits.

He warned that this phenomenon is negatively impacting the national economy.

The ministry will not be lenient in taking the necessary legal measures against the violators, he vowed.

Iraq welcomes all tourists, whether they are here on a religious visit or otherwise, but they must respect local laws and regulations, declared Asadi.

Every year, millions of Shiites flock to religious sites in Iraq’s Najaf and Karbala.