News updates

The small town of Kefrayya renowned for decades for its basket weaving is now witnessing the decline of this industry with the decreasing number of craftspeople which presently only total five people. One of the remaining active craftsmen is 75 years old, Mateh Makhul, who complained that his sons and grandchildren have chosen stop basket weaving which they considered not a profitable business anymore, because according to Makhul, the younger generation today seeks social security and pension benefits. This industry however, has faced sever setbacks in the wake of a fierce competition of from China, Malaysia and Thailand, Makhul noted. As for his daily production, Makhul indicated that he presently weave some 10 baskets each day, against up to 70 baskets in the past. “Production is declining with the decline in demand. But I have maintained some customers, mainly farmers, who purchase my baskets so as to pack their produce of fruits and citrus fruits”. On the key characteristics of basket weaving, he underscored the fact that it does not need much capital, only skills and taste adding that it capable of addressing his basic livelihoods needs.” However, Makhul expressed his skepticism about the future of basket weaving in Lebanon fearing that it may become extinct. (Al Diyar, 13 March 2015)

Strawberry growers in the northern villages and towns of Akkar voiced their strong concerns about the serious difficulties in marketing their production, particularly given the lack of border control and poor measures to protect domestic production from illegal foreign competition. Farmers pointed out to the fact that nearly 40 to 50 tons of imported strawberry, mainly from Syria, is smuggled into Akkar each day, hence flooding the Lebanese markets and causing considerable losses. What is noticeable is that the problem repeats itself with every season thus raising serious questions on the role of the Ministry of Agriculture in protecting local production and in enforcing the agreed agricultural calendar. Furthermore, farmers noted the failure of the Ministry in securing sustainable markets for domestic production so as to support farmers in stead-fasting on their land. Farmers in the towns of Koley3at, Al Mas3udieh, Balanet al H7aisa, Al H7aisa and Tel Abbas indicated that the total cultivated area of strawberry has recently shrunk to 90 hectares from 120 hectares as greenhouse farmers substituted strawberry with various kinds of herbs and vegetables. Furthermore, strawberry farmers noted the harvest delay this year which is mainly due to the successive waves of storms and frost that battered the buds. One farmer, Yasser Halabi, explained that he used “to pick the strawberries starting January and February of every year, unlike this year where he had to wait until the current month of March, which resulted in significant financial losses.” He further clarified that he normally sells his harvest early on before the arrival of imported strawberry. This year he said “I was forced to sell one kilogram of strawberry at the cost of production of LBP3000, because imported strawberry was being offered on the streets at less than LBP2000”. Muhammad Suleiman, another strawberry grower, commenting on the bad situation, noted that Lebanese strawberry was normally exported to the Arab Gulf states, but the delay in the harvest this year forced many exporters to search for new markets. On the same subject, Safadi Foundation signed an agricultural cooperation agreement with the US Land O’Lakes organization by which the American organisation will recruit and second to the Foundation an American agronomist, specialised in advanced and traditional cultivation of strawberry, and in order to provide technical assistance to local farmers. (As Safir, 16 March 2015)

“On the occasion of Mothers Day, treat your mum with a domestic worker. A special 10-day offer on maids from Kenya and Ethiopia. Call us on numbers….;”.This short racist message was circulated in the last 24 hours via cell phones thus steering strong public reactions. However, this announcement might have passed unnoticed were it not for the media and civil groups who approached the Labor Minister Sajaan Azzi. When questioned by As Safir daily, Azzi responded by saying that the Ministry has not yet identified the source of the message. However, he declared that he referred the advertisement to the public prosecutor’s office, adding, that the Labor Ministry team suspects two or three recruiting agencies and have assigned inspectors to investigate the case and to take punitive measures against the perpetrators. Migrant domestic workers recruitment offices in Lebanon, as is widely known, can be grouped into three categories: those licensed and members of the Syndicate of the Owners of Workers Recruitment Agencies in Lebanon (SORA); a second group of licensed offices but not members of SORA and, finally, illegal employment agencies. In this respect, SORA Chief, Hisham Burji, indicated that the syndicate was first to call for an end to racist advertisements which are offensive to domestic workers, such as demeaning posted images of migrant women workers or commercials announcements. He stressed that the Syndicate has repeatedly called for regulating this sector where only qualified offices should be authorized to operate and for sanctioning all others. He pointed out hundreds of similar cases of offensive advertisement, mainly involving banners for offices. He noted that punishing violating agencies will constitute a warning to all agencies, adding that it will be much more effective to impose preventive measures in order to deter potential perpetrators. A woman activist from KAFA said that her civil organization was instrumental in highlighting this matter within the media. Informed sources also indicated that the recruiting agency at the origin of this racist act was legalized not long ago. (As Safir, 18 March 2015)

On the occasion of Teachers Day, and in the presence of the representative of the Minister of Education and Higher Education, Elias Abu Saab, “Mumken” association (MMKN) organized an celebration event, in cooperation with the Center for Civic Engagement and Community Service at AUB (CECS) to honor volunteer teachers who were involved in providing support to some 103 underprivileged public school students. President of CECS, Dr. Elie Samya, praised the leading role of MMKN in the educational sector and the organization’s unrelenting efforts to sow the seeds of responsibility in students and to protect them from failures. He called on other civic society groups to follow the lead and to contribute to strengthening citizenship. For her part, Chairperson of MMKN, Ghada Feghali, outlined on the expansion of the work in public schools so as to cover the South, North and Mount Lebanon regions and later on all communities across Lebanon wishing to cooperate with the association. Feghali also introduced the book recently launched for the purpose by the MMKN, produced in English and French languages for Middle School students and which was distributed for free to nearly 480 pupils. Also speaking on the event, was George Haddad, the representative of the Minister of Education, who referred to Abu Saab’s vision for modernization and development and expressed the support of the Ministry to MMKN’s constructive work or any other similar initiative that aims at improving education, promoting knowledge and strengthening loyalty to Lebanon. To close, Haddad congratulated the honored volunteers for their achievements. (Al Diyar, 18 March 2015)

On the occasions of the International Women’s Day and Teacher’s Day, the Committee for the Lebanese Women’s Rights organised an event in honor of trade unionist leader Hanna Ghareeb and musical performer, Umaima Khalil, in Tyre High School auditorium, in the presence of several school principals and teachers, and public figures from various social, cultural and educational fields. In his speech, Ghareeb thanked the women committee for the thoughtful gesture and praised its unrelenting efforts, while underscoring that the trade union struggle for the adoption of the new grades and salaries scale will continue. (Al Mustaqbal, 14 March 2015)

The Founding Committee for the Lebanese Syndicate for Cosmetics Professionals and Owners of Beauty Centers, along with beauty expert, Jane Nassar, held yesterday a press conference to protest the decision of the Ministry of Health to close unlicensed beauty centers in the country. Surprisingly the conference revealed as pointed out by the Syndicate’s attorney, Antoine Tohmeh, that there are some 3500 beauty centers currently operating across Lebanon and hiring some 15,000 women workers, only 19 out of these women workers are licensed and authorized to practice the profession. It is to be noted that Health Minister Wa2el Abu Faoor issued in November 18 of last year a decision aiming to regulate the aesthetic industry and ordering the shut down some of 96 illegal beauty centers located in Mount Lebanon and the Beqaa regions, a decision that was subsequently implemented. Meanwhile, a large number of owners of similar centers in Beirut continued to function normally despite the Minister’s decision. Abu Faoor later admitted to Al Akhbar newspaper that the delay in closure of illegitimate aesthetic clinics in the capital was largely the responsibility of Beirut Governor Ziad Chebib who for three months and for unknown reasons, has been wavering in enforcing the closure. However, and suddenly, Chebib ordered the closure of all unlicensed centers in Beirut. Jane Nassar accused the Health Ministry of deliberately shutting down her centers and of refusing to grant her a license. During the press conference she intentionally referred to women’s rights in order to defend her private interests, and accused the Minister of a demeaning treatment of women amounting to violence and abuse. On the other side, sources from the Health Ministry confirmed that all files are being under study and that eligible centers will be legalized. For his part, the President of the Lebanese Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Dr. George Goneimi, said: “the current measures taken by the Health Minister are the minimum”, stressing that most of the esthetic centers are politically connected which explains the delay in closing them. He also added: “These centers are built on misleading advertising, since medically speaking, only medical doctors by specialty are allowed to operate under the skin. Beauty professionals are only permitted to carry out cosmetic services,” he added. (Al Akhbar, 13 March 2015)

Along the Hasbani River banks, popular stalls are installed each Tuesday morning to mark the famous Souk Al Khan, one of the oldest markets in Lebanon and the Middle East, and established in 1356. Coming from the various social classes, customers of the market are continuously growing in numbers as a result of the economic crisis. Inhabitants of different towns and villages of the districts of Hasbaya, Marje3yoon, West Beqaa and Bint Jbeil, as well as UNIFIL soldiers since 2006, head to the market to purchase what they need. The regular shoppers like to name their market “mall of the poor” or the poor’s market. The market is cut by a tight road connecting the villages of Freidiss, Al Mari and Al Habariyeh with the villages of Kawkaba, Ibl Al Saki and Marje3yoon. Around this road stand small shops and to their sides tents mounted to handle the goods. The market displays various cheap goods such as readymade clothes, carpets, home utensils, fruits, vegetables, sweets, meats, livestock, flowers and various pottery and earthenware, in addition to a special section for fruit tree seedlings. Souk Al Khan entered a new phase of modernization after the municipality of Hasbaya, in cooperation with local and foreign donors, embarked on a project to renovate and rehabilitate the old souk. To this effect, the former Hasbaya mayor, Sheikh Ghassan Khairiddine, said the municipality, with the support of the World Bank, has built dozens of shops roofed with traditional tiles. The WB project was planned to be completed at a later stage with the restoration of the ancient Khan built with old stones, lime and white sand at the time of the Shehaby dynasty. (Al Diyar, 12 March 2015)

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) constitute the largest part of the private sector in Lebanon which is presently facing serious difficulties in accessing commercial financing. In this respect, Kafalat provides financial assistance to SMEs to start up innovative projects in any of the five targeted economic sectors, namely, industry, tourism, agriculture, high technology and traditional crafts. The institution which is a private company of public interest and is owned by the National Institute for Guarantee of Deposits (75%) and 41 Lebanese banks (25%), provides financial guarantees for loans from banks operating in Lebanon. According to CEO and General Director of Kafalat, Khater Abu Habib, loans guaranteed by Kafalat benefit from a Central Bank exemption of the statutory reserve requirement.  This significantly reduces the lending bank's cost of capital, allowing lending at lower interest rates. Interest rate subsidies are financed by the Lebanese Ministry of Finance and administered by the Central Bank. Regarding the procedures for benefiting from Kafalat, Abu Habib clarified that the approval of loans is based on the submission of a feasibility studies/ business plans that determine the viability of the business to be financed. The company then studies the files sent through the banks and decide accordingly. However, the final decision for granting the loan rests in the hands of the banking institutions, he said. Besides the original lending facility launched in 2000 and which offers loans of LBP 300 million to assist start-ups and existing businesses to develop their ideas or activities, there are new programs that were the outcome of the partnership between the European Union and the Ministry of Economy and Trade. Among these new facilities are the following: loans to ensure the continuity of the existing production and workforce and amounting to LBP 600 million; loans to finance innovative works and inventions at the level of LBP 300 million; loans of up to LBP 650 million for investment in fixed assets and working capital needs, and, finally, loans granted for agriculture-related activities and for investment in efficient energy use and renewable energy. (Al Diyar, 7 March 2015)

Al Ghabun village is known as the capital of the green houses in the southern part of Mount Lebanon, especially flower growing. That region is a witness to the scale of the disaster resulting from the frost storm that hit the country this winter. The mayor Sheikh Akram Bu Hussein noted that 90% of the inhabitants of the village generate their livelihoods mainly from agriculture. He added: “Losses are greater than the resources at hand; one flower is normally sold at LBP1000 in the winter season, but the bitter cold has not only destroyed flowers but also affected the seedlings”. “This means that the harvest for next year will also be affected,” Bu Hussein added. He stressed the need to carry out an assessment survey of damages, stating that he personally lost at least 50,000 flowers that were grown within 12 green houses valued at some LBP 40 million. Similarly, the recent storm almost completely destroyed the fields of vegetables and seedlings located in the southern plains of Al Mari, Al Majidiyeh, Sarda, Wazzani and Hasbani. Furthermore, snow covered the area for the first time in over 30 years, causing severe damages to seedlings, destroying the green houses of the area, and causing huge financial losses on farmers beyond reparation. The frost particularly hit the harvest of tomato, cucumber, lettuce, green beans, potato and cabbage. The devastated area extends over 8000 acres from Al Wazzani River’s west bank all the way to the fringes of Al Khiyam and Al Mari villages. Commenting on the situation, Al Mari mayor, Youssef Fayyad, said, “What happened is plainly an agricultural disaster that wiped out the summer harvest season and inflicted heavy losses beyond the farmers’ financial capacities”. He appealed to the government for a swift compensation. Meanwhile, and in the eastern part of the country, the blizzard battered the old olive trees of several villages and towns in north Beqaa, affecting some 10,000 to 15,000 acres of cultivated land. It is to be noted that the farmers’ unions, in cooperation with the Agriculture Ministry, are currently assessing the level of damages that hit olive trees, green houses, bee hives, livestock and destroyed farms. Secretary of the Union of Farmers’ Union in Lebanon, Hussein Darwish, described the situations as catastrophic. He also noted that 80% of green houses were destroyed while production losses reached a hike of 95%, that nearly 70 heads of cattle, goats and sheep died and that the olive industry was also badly hit. Regarding the compensations from government, the President of the Union of Flower Growers and Seedlings in Lebanon, Roger Moawwad, clarified that the union appealed to Prime Minister Tamam Salam, and demanded an assessment survey of the losses in the sector. Moawwad added that PM promised to raise the issue during the forthcoming Cabinet meeting. For his part, Agriculture Minister, Akram Chehayeb, asked affected farmers to submit their reports on losses to the related Ministry’s departments located in various districts and regions, according to Moawwad, who voiced his skepticism over the outcome, stating that the real intentions of the government is to merely absorb the resentment of farmers. (As Safir, Al Diyar, 6,7,9 March 2015)