BEIRUT: Lebanese University contract professors are holding a protest near the presidential palace Wednesday – where Cabinet is in session – against the government’s delay in passing a draft law that would make them full-time workers, warning of an open-ended strike.

Haitham Ezzeddine, a representative of the teachers, read a statement to reporters warning the government that "teachers would hold an open-ended strike by the start of the school year," if Cabinet fails to pass the draft law.

Ezzeddine also said that “full-time employment is a necessity for the advancement of the Lebanese University,” as more than 100 teachers retire annually while their posts remain unfilled.

“In addition, the university needs all kinds of specialists, not to mention that the percentage of retirees is increasing every year and will reach 70 percent in 2013,” he said.

The professors also asked to meet with a minister, saying they would march to the palace and block the road until a government official speaks with them.

Contract professors complain that they receive no health care and cannot be enrolled in the country's social security fund.