Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Miqati announced on Thursday the approval of the new wage scale.

Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Miqati announced on Thursday the approval of the new wage scale, local Naharnet news website reported.

Acting Information Minister Wael Abou Faour later confirmed to reporters the government's approval of the wage scale, adding that discussions will continue over the sources of the funding of the new wages.

“The National Struggle Front ministers did not voice reservations on the new wage scale and several blocs suggested that an agreement be reached over the sources of the funding before the approval of the scale,” he stated.

Ministers Samir Moqbel, Marwan Charbel, and Nazem al-Khoury voiced reservations on the new wage scale decision, he revealed.

The new scale will have a retroactive effect from July 1.

The new wages will be paid in full, but over a five-year period, starting from July 1, said Miqati.

The Syndicate Coordination Committee, a coalition of private and public school teachers and public sector employees, had held a nationwide strike on Thursday to protest the cabinet’s delay in approving the new wages scale.

The state’s treasury will have more than $1billion and 200 million to cover as there are over 180,000 public sector employees including military personnel.

The government plans to boost the treasury’s revenue to cover the expenses of the salaries boost through several proposals including the implementation of a hike on taxes on land parcels and sea properties.