BEIRUT, April 4 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese cabinet on Thursday tripled the minimum wage in the private sector to 27 million Lebanese pounds (about 302 U.S. dollars), said Labor Minister Moustafa Bayram.
The increase includes an additional 9 million Lebanese pounds monthly to cover transportation costs, a statement by the Lebanese Council of Ministers quoted Bayram as saying.
The minister added that the government will also offer 36 million Lebanese pounds yearly as scholarships for three children per family, tripling the previous 12 million Lebanese pounds.
Lebanon is suffering from a deep financial crisis leading to the collapse of the local currency and the devaluation of employee wages in both the public and private sectors. ■
