The minimum wage was increased in a cabinet meeting on Tuesday from 300000 LL ( $200) to 500,000 LL( $333) a 67 % increase , the highest wage increase ever in Lebanon, which the unions are labeling as modest

GFLU said the strike would witness sit-ins and possibly closure of the airport.

The GFLU has warned the government it would go on strike if the cabinet did not approve a pay raise of 220%. The GFLU has demanded increasing the minimum wage from 300000 LL ( $200) to LL 960,000 ( $640).

The private sector was apparently split over the salary issue. While some favored a modest pay raise, others argued that they prefer to lay off their employees than heed the demands of the GFLU.

Fears ran high that Wednesday's strike could be a replica of what has become known as "Black Tuesday" when at least 29 people were wounded in riots between anti and pro-government factions Jan. 23, 2007 as a general strike called by the GFLU developed into a bloody confrontation.

The daily An Nahar said Finance Minister Jihad Azour warned the government during its marathon meeting on Tuesday that he would resign when the cabinet suggested to raise the monthly salary to over LL 500,000, saying such a move would hurt the treasury.

Geagea : Union does not represent the working class

Geagea on Monday attacked the General Federation of Labor Unions (GFLU) saying it does not represent the working class.

"The Ministry of labor, that sponsors the GFLU, has been presided over for nearly 15 years by ministers from the Baath Party, AMAL Movement and Hezbollah. Many unions have been formed by methods of cheating during this period, which resulted in electing the GFLU that does not represent workers," Geagea said.

The GFLU, according to Geagea, represents the Baath Party, AMAL, Hezbollah, The Syrian Social National Party (SSNP) and some other groups allied with Iran and Syria.

Geagea said the army, security forces and the judiciary would "protect citizens" if the GFLU strike on Wednesday went beyond legal limits.

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