Unemployment deep-rooted in the economy while counter measures piecemeal and superficial

The chronic problem of unemployment in Lebanon, is deep-rooted in the national economy, affects the lives of the Lebanese people, and undermines their future, which should have prompted serious and effective approaches to address the problem. Such serious approaches are urgently needed instead of superficial approach to largely blaming the crisis on foreign workforce, particularly the Syrians or the piecemeal proposals that do not radically address the problem. On the latter, the World Bank has recently issued a report on ‘work prospects for north Lebanon’ with a road map to overcome the economic challenges in that part of the country through the creation of new business opportunities on the short, medium and long terms. There is a need for at least some 21 thousand jobs or what is equivalent to 4 thousand jobs every year over the course of five years to redress the situation, the WB report stated. The World Bank report indicated that the economy of North Lebanon suffers from considerable weaknesses in the agriculture and real-estate sectors, adding that about 90% of labor force is active in the informal sector. (For more on the report in Arabic, please check: http://bit.ly/2c3jhyB). In a parallel vein, the president of the North Lebanon Traders Association, Asaad Hariri, drew attention to inconsistencies and contradictions in some of the official positions, hinting to the latest announcement by foreign minister Jibran Bassil who stated that some 17 thousand vacancies are currently present in the ministries and public departments across Lebanon. Hariri stigmatized politicians for doing nothing is done to tackle the issue (: http://bit.ly/2bDZmHf ). Meanwhile, referring to the issue, the Lebanese Forces Unions’ Section said in a statement issued yesterday that the Lebanese workers face numerous challenges every day to secure a decent and dignified living especially while confronting fears of joblessness. According to the LF, available data point out to an unprecedented rise in the number of laid employees, with 2210 persons thrown out of their jobs since the start of 2016, stating that foreign competition, notably from Syrian workers, is the main cause. “We shall not tolerate any situation that does not ensure the rights of Lebanese laborers and protect them from becoming refugees in their own country,” the statement concluded. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, August 30, September 1, 2016)