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A view of Hamra Street in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon (image for illustration). AFP PHOTO / JOSEPH EID

Since October 17, Lebanon is agitated by an unprecedented popular protest that has led to the resignation of the government. The political blockage lasts and during this time Lebanon continues to sink into the economic crisis that was already there and is one of the causes of popular anger in Lebanon.

With our special correspondent in Lebanon, Nicolas Falez

In a tea room, the seller packs one of the few packages of cakes he has sold today. A few weeks ago, the shop owner told him that his salary would be halved.

" I work here, I know if the trade is doing well or not. There are no customers, the tables are empty since this morning so he gives us half a salary. I understand it, I see the situation and we can not do anything. He will tell me "leave the job or will work with a half-pay", I prefer to stay, "he says.

A wage cut in half, sometimes with partial unemployment, has become the reality of many employees in the private sector. According to the Lebanese restaurant trade union, more than 250 establishments have closed down for the month of October alone, and layoff announcements are increasing in all sectors.

All the country's economic indicators are in red, with a shortage of liquidity, banks limit the weekly withdrawals of their customers. Many now evoke the risk of an economic collapse of Lebanon.