EDL part-timers start work with service providers

Some 1,900 former Electricite du Liban part-time workers, who were recently employed by private service providers, have commenced work after receiving their delayed salaries in full, three service providers said in a joint statement Thursday. Part-time workers have recently signed work contracts with service providers after the private companies agreed to pay three months of delayed salaries in full and scrap a clause that required contract workers to undergo a three-month probation period. But the statement added that no payments were due for bill collectors. “The status of bill collectors is different from that of part-time workers. Bill collectors earn a fixed amount for every bill issued and a percentage-based commission for every bill collected. Since no bills were issued or collected during the past months, EDL has no financial obligations to assume toward bill collectors,” the statement said. Bill collectors “who signed contracts with service providers will be paid without delay,” said the statement. Service providers also denied media reports that claimed the companies had “veiled intentions toward their new employees.” “The relation between us [service providers and them [bill collectors is governed by the Labor Law and company by-laws knowing that employees have started their career with training sessions ... under the supervision of experts.” Service providers have already started to collect bills that were issued but remained uncollected. Depending on where they reside, citizens will be getting bills dating back to the end of 2011 and early 2012. The six-month period between February and July, when meter readings did not take place, will likely be collected in monthly installments. From DailyStar