Libyan Prime Minister vows to restore people's trust in government
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Prime Minister Abdelhamid al-Dbaiba of the National Unity Government has acknowledged that Libyans had lost confidence in government due to non-implementation of decisions taken by previous governments, and promised to work on restoring trust with citizens.
In a televised address to Libyans on Sunday, al-Dbaiba recalled the decision of the bonus granted to wives and children which was not implemented, pointing out that he decided to add it to salaries from the beginning of the year. But he admitted that he cannot, in one go, pay all the arrears of several years.
The Libyan official assured that the government will work to pay the wife and children's bonus at a rate of two months with salaries until the arrears are cleared.
Referring to the preparations for Ramadan, he said that conditions are difficult due to the evolution of the dinar exchange rate from 1.6 to 4.4 per dollar, which is likely to affect the price of foodstuffs, as the consumption quantities increase during the month of Ramadan.
In this regard, he urged the Parliament and the High State Council to speed up the adoption of the budget he proposed as soon as possible.
The Libyan Prime Minister pledged to pay salaries at the beginning of each month, assuring that he has agreed with the Central Bank of Libya (CBL) to implement this measure from April.
He recalled two important decisions to improve the living conditions of citizens and enhance their purchasing power.
Mr. al-Dbaiba said that 250,000 Libyans receive a salary of 450 dinars (about 102 dollars) which cannot cover their needs nor accompany the high cost of living.
He pointed out that three categories of this fringe have benefited from an increase that will be 800 dinars for those who have three dependents, 700 dinars for those who have one dependent and 650 dinars for those who have no dependent.
This increase is programmed in the budget and it will have a retrospective effect from January until the Social Security Fund introduces the increases.
He assured that they will be paid in salaries before the Eid holiday early May.
-0- PANA BY/JSG/MTA/AR 4Apr2021
