News updates

The ILO issued last Tuesday a report in social protection entitled “Building economic recovery, inclusive development and social justice”, in which it notes that 70% of the world’s population do not have adequate social protection whereas only 27% of the world population enjoy a comprehensive social security.   ILO Deputy Director-General, Sandra Polaski, noted that the issue of social protection has become more important in the absence of economic stability, and given the slow growth and increasing inequality.  She also added that this is a matter that the international community needs to give due consideration in the post-2015 development agenda.  She also added that many high income countries have started to decrease their social protection schemes especially in the European Union.
With regards to Lebanon, the report notes that 6 out of 8 categories are all covered by the NSSF albeit in a limited way with regards to legal coverage.  The report explains that the category of “sickness” is covered in kind by the NSSF whereas the category of “maternity”, “old-age”, "employment injury”, “disability”, “survival”, and “family compensation” are all covered by one programme according to the national laws in force.  The report affirms that the country has no legislation or programmes to support unemployment.
To access the executive summary of the report report, please click on the following link: World Social Protection Report 2014/15: Building economic recovery, inclusive development and social justice.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 9 June 2014

Credit Bank exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding with Proparco for a loan amount of USD 20 million, and extending over seven years, for the purpose of strengthening the capacity of Credit Bank to provide loans to small and medium enterprises.  The MoU was signed on 9 May 2014 at the headquarters of Credit Bank in Beirut.
To be noted that the small and medium enterprises sector in Lebanon is now considered to be key for the overall economic growth in the country as it contributes to creating new employment opportunities for the youth even though this banking sector is challenged in terms of financing especially at the long term.  
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 9 June 2014

The Korean UNIFIL contingent in Tyre organized last week a ceremony to celebrate the 34 women graduates who have successfully completed the sewing course in Tyre.  Graduates received their certificates and the event was concluded by an exhibition showcasing their work to UNIFEL troops and to visitors who were able to purchase many of the products.
The Korean contingent had started organizing sewing courses for women in its vicinity since 2012 and for the purpose of creating work opportunities for women and helping them generate income.  Each course extends over one trimester (12 weeks) and, thus far, 350 women have benefited from this intervention and have learned to sew clothes and accessories and were initiated to various marketing approaches.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 9 June 2014

The Minister of Public Health, Wa2el Abu Fa3oor, convened two days ago a large meeting at the Ministry and which included the Minister of Industry Hussein Hajj Hassan, in addition to key stakeholders in the industrial sector.  Abu Fa3oor noted that the aim of this meeting is to organize joint work between the two Ministries and identify a coordination mechanism to support the industrial sector.  Abu Fa3oor added that there is no conflict in the mandates of both Ministries but rather a complementarity of responsibilities and a desire to coordinate so as to have productive results.  Abu Fa3oor announced that a meeting will be held in the coming few days to identify a joint mechanism which would allow them to support the industrial sector through ensuring all that is needed to safeguard the health of Lebanese citizens.
Hajj Hassan noted for his part the urgent need for a plan of action that would address the concerns of the Lebanese industries especially in term of licensing, industrial certification, and export licenses.  He noted that an agreement was reach to create a committee to include the Ministry of Industry DG as well as a team from the Ministry of Public Health and representatives of the pharmaceutical sector to address issues relate to water usage in the industry, mainstreaming the registration of medicines in public social security and private insurances , the issue of ensuring fair terms of trade in pharmaceutical industries and other issues concerning Lebanon and its foreign trade partners so as to improve the opportunities of Lebanese pharmaceutical companies to export.
Source: Al-Diyar 6 June 2014

Ocean Spray just released into the Lebanese and Gulf markets a number of nutritious and health drinks which include the taste and nutritional benefits of blueberries such as the anti-oxidants ingredients which makes it perfect for local communities that are known to consume juices in high quantities.  These newly released high energy drinks come in many delicious flavors to suit all tastes.  Ocean Spray is a farmers’ cooperative with an 80 year experience in cultivating high quality fruits particularly blueberry which is used for these new juices.

Source: Al Mustaqbal June 5 2014

 

Al Akhbar newspaper published a report today on the law to protect consumers noting that despite various revisions on the law that was initially decreed in 2005, with the last amendments approved last April, many aspects of this law are still not applied.  This is particularly so since the consumers’ court has yet to have a official venue, the National Council to Protect Consumers does not convene meeting and the law enforcement mechanisms have yet to be issued. The newspaper also noted that the law still requires several legal implementation mechanisms to become operational.  The Ministry of Economy and Trade simply issued one organizational decree in 2011 regarding the setting up of a special register for consumers’ association.  Furthermore, , and despite the fact the announcement made by Minister Hakim, the Consumers’ Court remains inactive since its set up in 2005. The newspaper also adds that the National Council has met only once or twice since it was created in 2005.
Parallel to that, the department to protect consumers within the Ministry has put in place a number of communication tools supposedly accessible to consumers and which allow them to monitor the market, raise consumer awareness and inform them of their rights and responsibilities, notably using the hotline (1739), the social media and the Ministry’s website http://www.economy.gob.lb. However, and according to citizen Joe Gharib who called the hotline after discovering and reporting that a water gallon he bought contains bacteria, and despite the fact that his complain was registered and he was sent an acknowledgement of receipt from the relevant Ministry employee, no follow up act ever ensued. Gharib concluded that he should have opted for a judicial course to address his complaint rather then contact the department.

Source: Al-Akhbar June 5, 2014

 

The National Federation of Workers’ and Employees’ in Lebanon (South Lebanon branch), noted in its statement released yesterday that there are tens of thousands of families working in tobacco growing, as their sole source of livelihood, and surviving with 50 cents a day as they are burdened by significant debts to banks. The statement also notes that the Regie continues to ignore the rights of tobacco farmers whilst it accumulates profits from their labor and keeps its capitals safe in the Central Bank.  The statement asked about the absence of any lobbying action by the trade union of tobacco farmers aiming to protect the families of tobacco growers and workers who live in abysmal social conditions.
The Federation requested that the rights of tobacco growers be secured beginning with the compensation for losses during the 2006 war.  The Federation called in favor of: a) making sure that the tobacco growing license is given to actual users, b) adherence of farmers in the NSS; c) ensuring that the whole harvest is accepted and abolishing the mention of “useless”; d) increase the price of one kilogram to become 15,000 and e) providing subsidies for fertilizers and drugs and transforming the regie offices into offices for extension and awareness raising.
Source: Al-Safir 4 June 2014

Caritas Liban inaugurated yesterday the project entitled “Agricultural Service Centre” in Deir Mar Sarkis and Bakhos in Reyfun, Kesrwan.  The project is implemented in collaboration with the project to develop the productive sectors in Lebanon (LIVCD) which is financially supported by USAID.  Engineer Wajdi Khater stated in his intervention during the launch that LICVD seeks to improve economic stability in Lebanon, provide opportunities for small companies to increase their benefits and create job opportunities for residents in rural areas notably women and youth.
The director of the Agriculture Service Centre, Elie Khayat, presented the main activities and services offered by the Centre notably: a) Specialized training workshop; 2) regular field visits for extension and follow-up; c) technical assistance in grafting, weeding, lab tests, etc… d) linking farmers with suppliers of agricultural inputs and owners of sorting, packaging workshop, cooling units, traders, exporters and others. The opening event was followed by a workshop for farmers on good agricultural practices and managing apple and cheery plantations under the supervision of Engineer Ghassan Feghali.

Source: Al-Diyar 4 June 2014

The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Tripoli and North Lebanon organized yesterday a graduation ceremony for students who participated in a training session organized by the Chamber on how to meet the needs and demands of the job market and how to access to access it.  The training was supervised by Dr. Walid Kodmani and Dr. Abdel Razzak Ismail in collaboration with Lubnani Association (LA), Francophone Digital Center, Lebanese French University and Al-Jinan University.
The president of the Chamber, Tufic Dabbussi, highlighted in his intervention the importance of partnering with civil society to create work opportunities for young women and men.  He commended the role played by Francophone Digital Center in orienting the students and he also acknowledged the efforts of the supervisors who organized the training.  This was followed by interventions by the president of LA, Dr. Fadi al Niser, the president of the Francophone Digital Center, Dr. Hassan Amoud, who presented what the centre offers in terms of facilities, job searches and training.  The Director of LA, Nadim Mansouri, explained for his part the objectives of the association and its programme for 2014 and how these can help accessing job markets.
Source: Al-Diyar 4 June 2014

The Ministry of Tourism organized yesterday under the auspices of Minister Michel Pharaon the graduation of the first batch of tourist guides including 18 Russian women married to Lebanese and who completed their three month training session.  The event was attended by the Russian Consul in Lebanon, Youssef Parkov, Tigran Nersiscian, and the representative of the Conquer Company, Shawki Fakih.  Pharaon noted during the ceremony that the launch of the Campaign “Live Lebanon”aims to brining back life to the tourism sector in Lebanon after a two years lull.  The event was followed by a meeting with a delegation of Russian travel agencies who toured a number of touristic and historical sites in many parts of the country.  They confirmed to the Minister that they will seek to place Lebanon on the map of Russian tourists.
Source: Al-Safir 4 June 2014