News updates

The Saida Commercial Bazaar was launched earlier this week as a permanent nonprofit showroom to benefit small business holders of the city.  This individual initiative was launched in collaboration with several civil society organizations and is located at the Northern entrance of the city.  The new market includes some 300 shops which were opened with local private business investments to allow them to promote the selling of traditional foods, handicrafts, cafes, restaurant services, etc.., with the aim of supporting small business holders and developing the skills and initiatives of young women and men.
Within this framework, the initiative Say no to Violence organized last Wednesday in collaboration with “The Right to Play” Association, and “Hurricane Association” an open development day which included the running of a number of activities such as training small business holders in how to market their products and moving from homemade goods to more professional productions as well as building young people capacities.
Source: Al-Diyar 15 November 2013

The Daily Start newspaper published a report last Tuesday 12th of November, on a training workshop organised by Tawlet restaurant which is affiliated to Souk el Tayeb and which targeted Syrian displaced women in order to help them in opening catering business in Syrian cuisine and as such enable them to secure some livelihood.  The workshop was organised in cooperation with Caritas and with financial support from UNHCR and aimed at providing training to women for preparing Syrian dishes and helping them market these dishes.
Some 20 women took part in this training which was held in the basement of one of Caritas premises in Sin el Fil.  The main incentive for the trainees is certainly to be able to secure some income but the project has also provided women with the opportunity to leave aside their troubles and miseries caused by the war in Syria while getting to know each other and learn new ways to prepare food dishes.
According to Jihan Chahla who is the responsible of projects at the Tawlet restaurant, the project seeks to help these women to take initiatives, create a trademark for their products and subsequently cater for social events such as weddings, etc…
Source: The Daily Star 12 November 2013

The International Domestic Workers' Network (IDWN), The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and Human Rights Watch issued a joint report documenting the various forms of human rights violation of migrant domestic workers in the Middle East.  The report is entitled “Claiming Rights: Domestic Workers’ Movements and Global Advances for Labor Reform” and provides an assessment of progress made since the ratification of the “Domestic Workers Convention”.  The Convention seeks to protect the rights of domestic workers as for all other workers and has not been ratified by any Arab countries the majority of which still excludes migrant domestic workers from the provisions of its local labor laws.  The report noted that ME region is the site of the worst violations of the rights of migrant domestic workers and the reform process on that front is very slow with no serious results.
The report was released during the meeting of the leaders of the labor movements from more than 40 countries, and which was held last month in Montevideo in Uruguay in order to form a new international federation of domestic workers.
Source: Al-Safir 13 November 2013

The General Director of the Ministry of Higher Education (MoE), Fady Yarak, pointed out to the growing setback in the enrolment of girls in sciences at the University level, versus an increase in the enrolment of girls in law, economics and administration.  Yarak, who was speaking to the 37th UNESCO Conference convened in Paris, highlighted the fact that limited opportunities for decent work were the key reason for the marginalization of girls in the Arab region especially in relation to their career opportunities.
Yara’s speech included a presentation of the Ministry’s plan for reform and for supporting girls’ education, and took place in a round table discussion organised during the conference on strengthening education for women and girls for gender equality.  Yarak spoke of the realities in Lebanon with emphasis on the initiatives of his Ministry which is closely working in collaboration with UNESCO and the various challenges it faces.  He added that the Ministry is striving to develop new curricula which will emphasize gender equality, sustainable development and citizenship.  Yarak also spoke of vocational training and education, and of the awareness raising campaign currently in preparation, and which targets families and especially girls in school age while seeking to raise awareness on various existing work opportunities and options in vocational training.
Finally, Yarak described the current situation of public schools in Lebanon, within the context of the Syrian crisis, pointing to the difficulties in absorbing the increasing numbers of refugee children especially girls.  He concluded by hoping that the crisis will soon be overcome, so that the Ministry will have the conditions necessary to reform and to improve education particularly in what concerns girls education.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Nahar 12 November 2013

As Safir published news report on the Homemade Mouneh exhibition which was organised last Monday 11th of November, by Al-Nahda Women’s Association in Amioon, Kura.  The report highlights the experiences and concerns of some of the women who are participating in this event and who come from Akkar, Duma, Zgortha and Byblos to market their homemade products.  Sahar Nasr Al-Diri emphasised the importance of marketing homemade products and, as such, providing work opportunities for women so that they can financially support their families.  She suggested the setting up of a marketing cooperative in Kura which would assist in the marketing of products made by women who only work from home.  Warde Shathbek noted for her part that she depends on exhibitions such as this one so that she can secure additional income for her family.  She shared her concern with the competition in her village as she used to provide homemade sweets to a local pastry shop however, once her products became popular, the shop owner learned the recipes and started doing these himself without resorting to her services.  Nouha and Nahla Saadeh noted that although the sales of homemade food did not secure all the needs of their families, however it considerably helps in supporting their livelihoods. Nuha Barakat commended the diversity of products in the exhibition and the quality and said that the event provides a space for social gathering and exchange of experiences.
The president of Al-Nahda Women’s Association in Kura, Aafa Shammas, said that she is aiming to set up a permanent showroom in Kura which is an area reputed for its traditional homemade food.  Shammas told As Safir that what encourages visitors to come to the exhibition is their appreciation of the homemade products and willingness to support to the organization and women producers.  She added that working women no longer have time to do homemade food and Mouneh and hence resort to purchasing products made by other women.
Source: Al-Safir 12 November 2013

L’Orient le Jour interviewed, Nay, a young woman, 28 years old, on the conditions of work in an international relief organization operating in Lebanon. According to OLJ, Nay is a projects coordinator in an international organization working with Syrian displaced in Lebanon.  She says that she is constantly worried about finding herself unemployed, noting that she has two university degrees in Economics and Social Sciences.  She adds that her work requires strong commitment and people involved in this field need to sacrifice their personal life for what is, according to her, a low pay compared to higher salaries that people with her qualification get from working in the private sector.  Nay who also has a Masters degree in Development from a prestigious university in the UK, earns a monthly salary of USD 1,500, in addition to USD 100 for transport and USD 100 for communication.  She clarified that had she been working for a local organization, she would have been paid USD 1200 per month. Nay complains about the absence of medical coverage in international organization as she was forced to pay for her own medical insurance.  Although she lives with her family, she stated she is unable to save more than USD 300 per month.
Source: L’Orient Le Jour 11 November 2013

The third edition of the Beirut Cooking Festival kicked off yesterday at the Biel international exhibition centre under the auspices of the Minister of Trade Freij Sabounjian and with the participation of Georges Nasraoui the president of the Syndicate of Lebanese Food Industrialists (SLFI), Paul Ariss the president of the Syndicate of Owners of Restaurants, Cafes, Night-Clubs & Pastries in Lebanon, Fouad Zmokhol the President of the Lebanese Businessmen Associations (RDCL), Raja Habre the General Manager at the Lebanese Franchise Association, and Soha Atallah LibanPack Director.

In his key note address, Minister Sabounjian noted that this exhibition is about the art of cooking and the latest trends in food, art of living and modern designs.  According to the Minister, this event helps in marketing the Lebanese cuisine and in strengthening its international outreach.  He pointed out to Lebanese who opened restaurants in different parts of the world thus contributing to the development of the sector as well as to the creation of new jobs.  The Minister highlighted the need to use natural resources to secure jobs for young people in agro-industry which will in turn strengthen tourism.

Some 100 exhibitors are taking part in this event organised by Hospitality Services.  The exhibition includes a selection of kitchen tools and dining accessories, is considered to be the most important event in the cooking calendar and to foodies and is set to extend until November 9th.

Source: Al-Nahar, Al-Diyar 8 November 2013

Al Akhbar newspaper published a report on the non-licensed Syrian owned shops and businesses and which are to being closed with the support of the internal security forces as per the general plan put in place by the Ministry of Economy and Trade.  The first phase of this plan was implemented in the Bekaa during the month of September 2013 after giving business owners a grace period of two months to settle their situation before closure.  Preparations are now going ahead to implement the plan in Beirut where a warning was issued just a few days ago to Syrian business owners so that they settle their situation.  The implementation of the plan will then move to Mount Lebanon, North Lebanon and South Lebanon.  The report also shares the reactions of Lebanese business holders many of which reflected their usual negative attitude vis-à-vis Syrian nationals and strong concerns about the competition created by these new businesses especially at the level of small shops, popular restaurants and street vending.
The report refers to the field study carried out by the Ministry of Economy and Trade and which indicates that 1196 Syrian owned businesses were established with no licenses over the past two years.  377 of these located in the Beqaa were closed whilst 819 business continue to operate, one way or the other, in various commercial and tourism services.  The acting Director-General of Economy Fouad Fleifel told Al Akhbar that the model of free economy in Lebanon allows any foreign investor to work freely and nobody can be forbidden from undertaking any economic activity except in the areas restricted by the Ministry of Labor and where investors have to abide by labor laws. The Zahleh Merchant's Association president, Elie Chalhoub, for his part, points out to a different  reality as he notes that competition is cut throat and illegal as, according to Chalhoub, Syrian investors bring cheaper raw material from Syrian addition to cheap Syrian labor and do not pay taxes as well as municipality fees and electricity costs.  However, he acknowledged that many Lebanese businesses who complain about competition actually do not declare their profits to the Ministry of Finance, resort to Syrian labor and also bring cheap raw material illegally even though this is more available for Syrian investors.
The situation somewhat seems different for Beirut and Mount Lebanon which account for 28.8% of the total of Syrian owned businesses which are concentrated in Borj Hammoud, Nabaa, Tarik Jadideh and Mazraa, and where it is by large welcomed differently than in the Beqaa.  According to, The Barbour Merchant's Association president, Rachid Kebbe Syrian capital should be most welcome in Lebanon as they contribute to the local economy.  Similar reactions are noted in South Lebanon and in Nabatieh which host 8.1% of Syrian owned businesses.  According to The President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Saida, nobody should stand against these businesses as they contribute to the economy and attract investments.  However and on the other side, business owners in Akkaar tend to share the views of their fellows in the Bekaa and complain about competition with Syrian owned businesses, while claiming that Syrian businesses are in an advantageous position since they receive international donations and benefit from conditions of production that are not suitable for people from Akkar.  It is to be noted that North Lebanon hosts 8.9% of the total Syrian owned businesses that are primarily located in Akkar and Tripoli and to a lesser extent in Zghorta and Batroun.
Source: Al-Akhbar 7 November 2013
For more information about the context of non-licensed Syrian businesses in Lebanon, please refer to previous news published on the WEEPortal:

"Closing of non-registered Syrian commerce in the Bekaa", on 2/9/2013
"Launch of the campaign to regularize Syrian businesses in the Bekaa and testimonials of Syrians suffering from oppression in Lebanon", on 31/7/2013

Ghassan Ghosn, head of the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers noted in a statement released yesterday that youth unemployment has now risen to 38% whilst the proportion of those living under the poverty line increased from 10 to 14% warning that the social conditions are now explosive.
Ghosn noted that the current situation is quite dicey both at the social and economic level and requires a collaboration and partnership amongst the Syndicates and economic institutions as well as various economic sector and Lebanese labor so that appropriate steps are taken to address the situation.  Ghosn added that there is a move towards intensifying collaboration amongst various stakeholders so that each fulfills its responsibility and puts necessary actions in place to address the crisis.  Ghosn called for drawing a Charter amongst all economic stakeholders based on a number of common principles, namely demanding the government to work towards national salvation, the protection of local labor and production from foreign competition and from market saturation, the provision of incentives and subsidies to the local economy, the creation of a conducive environment for the economy and finally the strengthening of the capacities of economic sectors in Lebanon.
With regards to the repercussions of the increasing number of Syrian displaced, Ghosn noted that this is now presenting threats at various levels namely social, economically as well as in terms of health, safety and security.  He added that this matter should be dealt seriously otherwise the consequences will be critical.  He also blamed the Lebanese for exploiting the availability of cheap Syrian labor as well as the dire conditions of the displaced.  Finally, he supported the suggestion of the head of the Federation of CCIA in Lebanon concerning the setting of a quota for employing Syrian displaced.
Source: Al-Safir, Al-Nahar, Al-Hayat 7 November 2013

After the laying of its foundation, 7 months ago, the Regie tobacco factory in Bikfaya was opened yesterday following the completion of refurbishment and construction work, in a ceremony organised under the auspices of the Minister of Finance, Mohammed Safadi, with the presence of the President of the Regie, Nassif Saklawi and MP Sami Gemayel.
The factory which was designed by a pioneer Greek company according international standards was achieved at a total cost of USD 3.5 million, provided by the Regie, including some USD 400,000 donated by the Ginseng Tobacco International (GTI). The factory is expected to contribute to local the development of the local community, by creating around 300 new seasonal job opportunities among the youth population during at least 4 months every year.
It is important to note the significant contribution of the Regie to public finance and the national economy, with direct income reaching USD 366 million until last September, in addition to its important role in supporting tobacco farmers through purchasing their harvest at subsidized prices, and thus generating an overall net revenue of USD 577 million.
Source: Al-Nahar, Al-Safir, Al-Diyar 6 November 2013