Many in Lebanon are recently struggling to pay with their Credit or Debit card, especially at petrol stations, restaurants, and clothing shops as the majority of these businesses have suspended this type of payment.
Those who still accept payments in cards have increased the charges, ranging from 5% to 15%, as they are unable to collect these payments in cash dollars from banks.
Supermarkets have not yet taken action against such payment methods, which is leading many to take advantage and use their cards at these food retails.
As a result, the percentage of users of these payment cards has increased from 100% to 300% in some areas, according to sources.
This increase comes also influenced by the announcement of Banque du Liban (BDL) of quota 158, which gives the right to citizens to use $200 at the rate of 12,000 LBP when paying by card.
A meeting was held between BDL, a group of supermarket owners, and the Director-General of the Economy Ministry, Mohamad Abou Haidar, to find a suitable solution.
Hassan Ezzeddine, a member of the supermarket unions in Lebanon, issued in a televised interview with MTV: “We can no longer carry this burden alone, that’s why we need to find a realistic solution that suits Banque Du Liban and supermarket owners.”
He continued: “The bank is not able to provide us with acceptance of taking these payments in cash dollars and we are also not able to continue this way.”
“So we might have to stop accepting such payment methods or add a percentage charge to each payment and I know this will add extra burden on the consumer,” he noted.
