Lebanon internet blackout looms as employees of state-owned provider Ogero strike over pay

Group chairman warns of wider disruption if salary dispute is not resolved

Internet shutdowns rippled through Lebanon after employees of Ogero went on strike, demanding higher wages. AP

Internet blackouts were reported in parts of Lebanon on Wednesday after employees of state-owned telecoms company Ogero went on strike the day before and demanded better salaries.

Talks are continuing between the Ministry of Telecommunications and representatives of the employees but Ogero’s chairman issued a warning of further disruption if the matter was not resolved soon.

“I don't think that we will reach a total blackout tonight and I hope we will not face such a situation,” Imad Kreidieh told The National on Wednesday.

“But if there is no improvement in the discussion between the [representatives of the employees] and the Minister of Telecommunications this afternoon, I'm afraid we are running a big risk of major interruptions across the country.”

Mr Kreidieh said he would have attended the talks had he not tested positive for Covid-19 the day before.

Blackouts have already been reported in parts of Beirut and southern Lebanon.

Lebanon is undergoing an economic collapse, which first became apparent in 2019, that has been described by the World Bank as one of the worst in modern history. Much of the population has been plunged into poverty, the local currency has lost more than 90 per cent of its value and there are widespread shortages of basic essentials.

Inflation is rampant and public sector employees — such as those at Ogero — have not had their salaries adjusted to reflect the new reality.

Many public sector workers have been on strike for nearly two months as they seek better employment conditions.

The reason for the blackouts on Wednesday was that generators which help to power the internet supply were not being refuelled, Mr Kreidieh said.

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  People queue outside a closed bakery, waiting for it to open, in Chiyah, Lebanon. Reuters

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  Another queue at a bakery in Khaldeh. The Lebanese Parliament has approved a $150m World Bank loan for wheat imports to address shortages in the country. Reuters

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  The loan will finance wheat imports for at least six months, alleviating acute bread shortages. Reuters

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  Lebanon has suffered from chronic scarcity of wheat and flour since its economic crisis began in 2019. Reuters

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  A man holds stacks of bread as he makes his way through a crowd of people queuing for bread outside a bakery in Beirut. Reuters

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  Subsidised Arabic bread consumed in most Lebanese households has become scarce. AFP

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  About 22 per cent of Lebanese households are food insecure, according to the World Food Programme, with that number likely to rise. AFP

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  Soaring inflation, paired with a plunge in the value of the local currency, has badly affected the purchasing power of Lebanon's citizens. AFP

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  Long early-morning queues often form in front of bakeries and shops as customers race to purchase limited quantities of subsidised bread. AFP

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  The limited availability of bread has caused tensions to frequently boil over in queues. Two people were wounded in Tripoli in mid-July after a gunfight over who was ahead in a bread queue. AP

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  A woman uses a sickle to harvest wheat at a field in Houla village, near the border with Israel, southern Lebanon. Reuters

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  Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February has also been detrimental, with the war there hindering the country’s ability to export wheat. About 80 per cent of Lebanon’s wheat came from Ukraine prior to the invasion. Reuters

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  The Beirut port explosion in August 2020 destroyed the country’s grain silos and with it most of Lebanon’s wheat reserves. Reuters

Widespread shortages of state electricity in the country mean that those who can afford it are forced to rely on more expensive private generators. State firm Electicite Du Liban only provides a couple of hours of power a day, if that.

“Had we had the EDL connectivity and proper power supply, we would have not seen as many power outages," Mr Kreidieh said.

Lebanon this year increased internet and mobile data rates, a move the government said was necessary to prop up the country’s flagging telecoms sector and ageing infrastructure.