Correspondence Issue: The Minimum Wages, Salaries, and Pensions – 450 Dinars Between Reality and Obligation

Abstract

This study addresses the situation of workers, employees, and retirees in Libya, particularly those receiving the minimum wages, salaries, and pensions, which are currently set at 450 Libyan Dinars per month. The Libyan workforce is divided into three main categories: 1. Wage workers engaged in physically demanding jobs such as agriculture, industry, and construction, receiving daily, weekly, or monthly payments. 2. Public and private sector employees, whose rights and obligations are defined by civil service regulations or contracts specifying work nature, duration, and financial benefits. 3. Self-employed individuals in professions such as engineering, law, farming, and trade, who operate under private agreements based on freedom of contract within legal limits. The study highlights that all these groups face similar living costs, including food, education, and household expenses. For retirees receiving the minimum pension (450 LYD, about 15 LYD per day), this amount is insufficient to cover basic needs or their children’s educational expenses. The author emphasizes the ethical and religious imperative, supported by Islamic principles, to ensure financial support for the elderly and vulnerable groups.