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In a statement issued yesterday, the Ministry of Labor called on institutions, companies and individuals who apply for work permits, or for their renewal for male foreign workers of all categories, to submit their applications at least one month in advance of the expiration date of the work permit for renewed work permits or residency for the first time submissions. (Al Mustaqbal, Annahar January 18, 2017)

 

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 Ministry inspection campaign targeting foreign labor

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Sixteen months after the launch of the program of the " Maritime Lebanese Exports Bridge" (M.LEB)", the program seems to have achieved some important results but still below the targets defined by IDAL, according to its chairperson of the board, Nabil Itani, Itani. Itani speech came in an interview with the newspaper L'Orient le Jour, to comment on the results of the first report of the operation of the program in its first year, where he emphasized that the program was targeting to achieve figures equal to twice what was achieved during the period, without specifying those numbers. The Lebanese cabinet allocated to the program a USD 14 million treasury loan in September 2015, the objective was to find alternative means for land transport, in order to address the implications of closure of the land crossings/ passes between Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, where USD 7.7 million were allocated to the first year. According to the report, the program was able to export approximately 58847 tons of Lebanese products between September 2015 and September 2016,with 87.5 % being agricultural products with legumes having the larger share, whereas 9.7 percent of the food products and only2.8 % of industrial products were exported. The principal destination of export was to Saudi Arabia which 63.8 percent of the products was exported followed by Kuwait 22.8 % and Jordan 11.2 %. In this context, Itani emphasized that despite the importance of those numbers, the program did not manage to achieve all the objectives set for it, especially that out of 217 persons registered in the program, only 61 persons benefit amounting to one third, this is attributed to the conditions that were made to access the subsidies, especially subsidies for products exported by ferries only and not by containers, especially since the cost of the ferries according to what Itani said exceeds the cost of transport by containers,  also, the shifting of many of the exporters to the use of means of marine export through containers being less costly despite needing a longer time period to reach the country of destination. On the rise of the cost of transport by containers, Itani attributed the cause to the lack of competition, since many of the shipping companies refrained from participation. (L'Orient le Jour January 17, 2017)

 

 Al Mustaqbal newspaper shed light in last Sunday's issue on the idea of mobile restaurants in Palestine, noting that it is a novel idea to address unemployment, although it was found since the fifties in the United States and they gained popularity in the Arab region in recent years as a new concept in restaurants since they provide delicious meals at reasonable prices, in details, the newspaper indicated that there is a project 'Qarmushty' in Gaza Strip, and 'Food Train' in Ramallah, they are projects that may differ in the types of food they serve, and the geographical location, but they are two sides of one coin; both aim at providing for the families of the founders and their employees, those who did not find work in their field of expertise.  On the project "Qarmushty", the newspaper pointed out that it was launched in April of last year, following the extreme difficulties that the two brothers Mua'ath and Mahmud Al Hasanat found in finding a stable job, but they wanted a new idea in the country that was not present before according to Mahmud, who stated that the idea may be simple but its content was not easy, pointing out that they found difficulties obtaining permits, equipment and installing the kitchen in a vehicle. Also Mahmud emphasized that the community like the idea pointing out that they "came to our restaurant, especially since we are moving in various neighborhoods, and our menu matches the demand and is affordable to them". As for the "Food train", the liberated prisoner Khaldun Al Barghuthi that the idea was during the imprisonment pointing out that he and his partner Abdel Rahman Al-Bibi wanted to invest in their experience in the food and catering that they gained in prison, and make use of the young men who were with them". In addition, Al-Barghuthi explained saying: " in the beginning, people used to come out of curiousity and also because we were prisoners, but the situation changed now after they tasted the food and discovering our prices that are relatively lower than the market, which resulted in attracting many customers." (Al Mustaqbal, Jan 15, 2017)

 

The new cabinet started working on agricultural files, while citrus farmers in Akkar organized a sit-in to protest the lack of disposal/sales of local produce, and the low prices of citrus fruits, addressing an outcry to the officials "to work towards saving farmers and compensating for the losses and stopping the import of citrus fruits from Syria". In a related context, the head of Cooperative Association of Potato Farmers in Akkar, Omar Said Al Hayek demanded from the Ministry of Agriculture to "apply an agricultural calendar that takes into consideration the local cropping seasons and their protection, and to provide all factors enabling their marketing, and export them and not to import the production at the time our crops are ready", pointing out that the Egyptian potatoes that will enter Lebanon in accordance with the agreements starting next February, and hoping that the amounts are limited and finish before the onset of the local cropping seasons in April.  Furthermore, Ministers of Agriculture, Industry and Economy, met last Saturday to discuss problems faced by dairy producers in Beqaa and suggested solutions to the crisis of crashing the prices of milk, where Minister of agriculture Ghazi Zeiater affirmed the commitment of the government and parliament in that respect. On another matter, the Minister of the Economy, Raed Al Khuri, issued a memorandum yesterday that allows wheat farmers to receive checks due to them for the year 2016. (L'Orient le Jour, Al Moustaqbal, Al Diyar, 12, 17,16, 5, 2017)

 

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The launch ceremony of the Tyre shopping and tourism festival kicked off last Saturday under the auspices of the Minister of Agriculture, Ghazi Zuaiter.  The event was organised at the Tyre Rest House by the Tyre Merchants Association and the Leader Company in collaboration with the local municipality and was attended by several key personalities.  The Minister noted in his speech the importance of local development in coastal and mountain areas as well as the need to develop the main cities of Tyre, Nabatieh, Saida and their neighbouring villages and towns.  This, he said, requires coordination amongst municipalities as well as professional syndicates so that a development road map with its attended priorities are agreed stating that this requires the engagement of immigrants as well as residents in order to create local investments which would generate employment opportunities.  Zuaiter further reiterated the need to continue giving due consideration to the South as is the case for other regions in Lebanon according to available resources and identified priorities.  The President of the Leader company, Mohammad Shehadeh, spoke for his part about the activities which will be held during the shopping and tourism festival and the discounts which will be offered by merchants in addition to thousands of prizes which will be given to the public.  In addition, mobile entertainment events will be held almost daily throughout the streets of Tyre.  The head of the Tyre Municipal Council, Hassan Dbuk, added that the Municipality stands besides the merchants and the consumers.  He also praised this initiative hoping that this will invigorate the local economy. (Al- Diyar, 15 January 2017

 

Al Diyar newspaper of today wrote about the visit of the President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, to Saudi Arabia and questioned whether Saudi tourists and investors will return to Lebanon soon. The newspaper pointed out that Saudi Arabia held in 2010 first place in the list of countries whose nationals visited Lebanon, and who totaled some 200 thousand Saudi tourists out of grand total of one million and 500 thousand tourists. The Saudi's total touristic expenditure was close to $ 2 billion out of $5.7 billion total touristic expenditure. The newspaper continued by noting that the number of Saudi tourists fell in 2015 to 47 thousand tourists when Saudi Arabia ranked fourth in terms of the number of tourists who visit Lebanon following Iraq that holds the first place, Jordan and Egypt. In addition the touristic expenditure fell from $5.7 billion to $5.3 billion of which $500 million is from Saudi Arabia. The newspaper also emphasized the importance of Saudi tourists particularly and Gulf tourists more generally for Lebanon tourism industry, considering that their return to Lebanon in the near future is linked to several factors including:  1) Changing the psychological mindset of Saudi tourists who stayed away from Lebanon, and who now need reassurances. 2) Strengthening political, security stability, tax and legislative stability. 3) Improving the image of Lebanon which was recently tarnished by the garbage crisis. 4) Improving electricity provision and managing the intractable traffic jams. (Al Diyar January 13, 2017)

The Ministry of Labor announced yesterday that the Minister of Labor Mohammad Kabbarah has instructed the inspection bureau at the Ministry to carry out a comprehensive campaign targeting foreign business owners and foreign employees who work for Lebanese or foreign businesses. The Minister demanded strict implementation of inspection procedures and called on all violators to adhere to the provisions of laws and decrees in force, under penalty of legal action that may lead to closure. On another matter, the executive council of the Union of Syndicates of Construction and Timber Industry Workers led by Mursil Mursil issued yesterday a statement requesting government’s approval of long held labor demands, while condemning the arbitrary and unchecked dismissal of local labor and its replacement with foreign workers. The statement also called for limiting the issuing of work permits in order to protect Lebanese labor from unemployment and emigration, and submitted several trade union demands the foremost of which were: the right to housing, health, education, electricity, water, work, pay, social security, as well as the right of construction laborers to social security benefits, comprehensive health coverage and pension. (Al Mustaqbal and Daily Star, January, 10, 2017)

 

Holders of liberal occupations and construction workers in Baalbaq, staged a sit-in last Friday in Ras Al Ain to protest the competition of foreign labor force. Participants expressed their dissatisfaction over the relinquishment of their cause by the Lebanese State and associations or unions involved with their protection. During the protest, Ras el Ain municipal board member, Antoine Aluf, drew attention to unlawful competition by Syrian workers, urging the municipality and the Lebanese State to act responsibly. Similarly, the town’s mayor Mohammad Awada appealed to concerned authorities to respond immediately, warning that the peaceful move today will be followed by other moves until injustice is lifted. Meanwhile, the new labor minister, Mohammad Kabbara, received on Thursday a delegation of the National Federation of Trade Unions of Workers and Employees led by Castro Abdallah, to discuss matters of concern to workers. Abdallah called for taking necessary measures to stop arbitrary dismissal of Lebanese workers and their replacement with non-Lebanese nationals under the penalty of shutting down the violating businesses. For his part, Kabbara disclosed that he will be developing a new action plan aiming to re-activate the role of the state-run National Employment Office in protecting domestic labor force. (An Nahar, Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, January 6 and 8, 2017)

 

The mayor of Nabatiyeh announced in a press conference yesterday the launch of the ‘Khairat Ardna’ fair expected to open tomorrow, Friday and continue until January 16, in the southern city’s central vegetable and fruit market. Dr. Ahmad Kahil said the exhibition will showcase rural handicrafts and artisan goods, as well as traditional food (mouneh) items, including jams, vinegars, chocolates, herbs and spices and organic agriculture products. The event, Kahil explained, is organized by the municipality of Nabatiyeh, in cooperation with the agriculture ministry and Jihad al Binaa Development Association, and in partnership with UNDP in the South. Revealing a scheme to turn it into a permanent landmark, Kahil said the exhibition hosts some 30 cooperatives, in addition to individual local producers. It includes lectures on how to pack and package agricultural goods and how to take care of fruit-bearing trees, in addition to instructions on food safety and marketing, according to Kahil. In conclusion, Kahil stressed the purpose of similar undertakings which is to galvanize local economic cycle through stimulating cooperative and agriculture activities in Nabatiyeh and the environs, bridge the producer-consumer gap and assist in the marketing of products of agricultural coops and small farmers, and finally, promote local rural and organic agricultural production. (Al Diyar, January 5, 2017)