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The plan of Palestinian-Lebanese Dialogue Committee (LPDC) to conduct a comprehensive survey on Palestinians in Lebanon to further the access of Palestinian refugees into the local labor market prompted strong criticism by the Labor Minister Sajaan Azzi. Expounding his viewpoint to An Nahar newspaper, Azzi said some circles are attempting to convince the Lebanese people that the number of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon has dropped to below 300 thousand persons so as to play down the threat of competition by Palestinian labor. “The demand by LPDC to conduct the survey coincides with calls by Palestinian circles urging the labor minister to issue accelerated repeated application decrees complementing the four related laws of the year 2010 related to the social and human rights of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. An Nahar, citing informed sources, ruled such a move by Azzi, at a time when unemployment stands at 25% to 32%. The Lebanese people will “strongly condemn me if I put forward such a request,” Azzi maintained. (An Nahar, September 5, 2016)

 

Pursuant to a recent feature in Al Akbar on gaps in the labor market, the newspaper shed light today on a programme for ‘merging youth in the labor market’. The latter is implemented by the UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Social Affairs and is based on analytical studies of the domestic labor market which were carried out to identify the labor needs of various companies and institutions in search for employees. According to the study, the country is in dire need of professionals in the following trades: cooking, carpentry, cooling and heating, car mechanic, electricity, and similar industries. The project, to be noted, is funded by the Regional Program for Development and Protection under the umbrella of the Lebanon Host Communities Support Project and covers three main geographical areas: Beqaa, Beirut southern suburbs and Tripoli. Research results have indicated that the most wanted jobs per geographical areas were as follow: Southern suburbs: cooking, carpentry, cooling and heating, and sewing;: Tripoli: cooking, carpentry, heating and cooling, industrial electricity, electricity of buildings, accounting and IT, and finally in the Beqaa, where there is a wide range of professional requirements because of the development of factories and industrial plants, the most common sought disciplines are: car mechanic and electric car technician, heating and cooling, industrial electricity, engine mechanic, building electrician, hospitality, marketing, sales and commerce, IT and audit, and food industry lab technicians. Also to be noted that the project is seeking to train some 170 young men and women in Tripoli and Zahleh and 70 in the southern suburbs on the above fields. In this respect, Al Akhbar interviewed the PR officer in the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Zahleh, Maria Rizkallah, who supervises the implementation of the project in her region. Rizkallah stated that the Chamber receives daily calls from establishments asking for technicians in many fields, but the main problem, she added, is the shortage in graduates in these disciplines. Most students do not opt for these areas particularly because vocational education is generally looked down on, as she put it. (Al Akhbar, September 2, 2016)

 

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Chaos in the labor market in the absence of planning, and career orientation

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

 

 

Economic sectors in Lebanon witnessed a sharp decline in employment trends influenced by the precarious conditions in the country, Al Diyar newspaper reported. On the other hand, citing the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL), Al Diyar noted that the local banking industry has recorded a relative surge in employment opportunities (an increase of 788 employees during 2015). This rise is attributed to many factors, including: a growth in the size of banking activity; increase in the number of local branches (reaching a total of over 1060 branches); diversification of services and finally, and increasing specialization of banking tasks and disciplines. According to ABL, the overall number of employees in the banking sector across Lebanon has reached nearly 24638 persons distributed on the different categories of the operating banks: 20478 employees in the Lebanese commercial banks S.A.L (32 banks) representing 83.1 % of the total number of employees in the industry; 2661 employees in banks with major Arab capital (9 banks); 424 employees in branches of Arab banks (8 banks); 310 employees in branches of non-Arab banks (4 banks) and 765 employees in business banks (16 banks). (Al Diyar, September 2, 2016)

 

During a press conference held yesterday at the Agriculture Ministry, the Social and Economic Fund for Development (ESFD), the General Directorate of Cooperatives (GDC) and the National Union of Cooperative Associations signed a protocol of cooperation under the patronage of Minister Akram Shehayeb and with the presence of various concerned dignitaries. The purpose of the said protocol is to develop a framework of collaboration between the three parties in the domains of research, planning and training, in addition to launching cooperative stimulating initiatives. Accordingly, the ESFD will afford the expertise required in training and specialized technical assistance after the completion of the necessary studies and relevant assessment. As per the protocol, the ESFD role complements the responsibilities and annual programs of the GDC in agreement with the plans set by the Union of Cooperatives targeting the overall coops sector. The overall purpose of the agreement is to design a comprehensive training program for implementation through establishing temporary or permanent centers, and to draw a proper program for funding projects generated by cooperatives and to create exhibition facilities to market their products. 

(Al Diyar, September 1, 2016)

 

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)

 

Following the recent resentment expressed by the local banking sector over the negative figures posted by the Union of Arab Banks and the International Finance Corporation pointing to a fall in emigrants remittances to the country in the past two years (:http://bit.ly/2bZCPnv) , the Central Bank of Lebanon (CBL) early this week issued a report clarifying the economic performance of the country in 2015. The report which read ‘the scene of the monetary policy of the Bank of Lebanon’ presented a synopsis of the macro-economic conditions in the country, maintaining a slowdown in expatriate money flowing into Lebanon (falling to nearly USD 7.16 billion during 2015). The report also indicated contractions in the export and investment activity, leading to a mounting deficit in the balance of payments (USD 3 billion). The Central Bank’s analysis highlighted the impact of political, social and security tensions affecting economic performance, and recording a growth rate lower than 1%, and a high level of public debt reaching nearly 148.7% of Gross Domestic Product. 

(Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, August 29, 31, 2016)

 

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News of decline of remittances and transfers provoke bankers

USD188 billion in bank assets while Lebanon still survives on transfers of expatriates

 

The Christian NGO for employment, LABORA, held yesterday the 8th annual meeting for its network of delegates at St. Antonio- Baabda Monastery in the presence of over 63 representatives of collaborative Christian factions, municipalities, universities, schools and establishments across the country. On the occasion, the private sector officer, Elie Shayya, showcased the respective figures and shares of companies cooperating with LABORA, in addition to job applicants (around 15508 persons between May 2008 and August 15, 2016), and the persons who were successfully recruited by the association (nearly 4564 individuals). Shaaya also pointed out to some 6359 wanted jobs centering around the following fields: administration, sales, accounting, technicians and drivers. Similarly, Maroon Najem, director of the training and development section at LABORA, illustrated with the help of figures the accomplishments of his department, enumerating the different training courses completed throughout the present year and upcoming workshops, and a roundup of 1912 participants and trainees in 2015. The meeting included a lecture on education programs vs. labor market requirements, as well as an outline of the delegates section presented by the director of the public and guidance sector, Jerjes Semaan. The latter called for adopting and activating a strategy that regulates the work of delegates and organizes cooperation with the various parties involved with the aim to increase the pool of job applicants. Towards the end, LABORA President, father Toni Khadra, indicated that the problem has transcended the dilemma of restoring equilibrium in the number of Christian state employees, to a more sophisticated and pervasive corruption crisis. He mentioned that some deputies and ministers in the government do not observe or implement the decisions of the Central Inspection, the Shura Council or the Council of Civil Service and other similar departments, hence giving way to discretion rather than the implementation of the law. (Al Diyar, August 31, 2016)

 

As part of local community development initiatives undertaken in rural areas, the municipality of Duma, in cooperation with Lebanon Mountain Trail and Douma Festivals Committee, launched last Sunday the side track of the mountain trail in the town, located in the caza of Batroon. This came as part of the Lebanon Industry Value Chain Development (LIVCD) project funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The Duma side track (about 13.5 kms) is one of many paths the Mountain Trail association is seeking to create in collaboration with local municipalities to revive rural tourism, through trekking and hiking, while highlighting the charm of Mount Lebanon countryside. In the same vein, and as part of the 2016 summer activities organized by the municipality, the Pottery Artisans Coop in Rashayya Fokhar concluded yesterday the first workshop for teaching pottery craft targeting youth and children. The aim of the course is to preserve the traditional craft and raise a new generation willing to learn and practice the trade. In this respect, and due to increasing demand, the Cooperative has decided to open another session this coming September at its premises in Rashayya Fokhar, caza of Hasbaya. Also on the same day, the culture committee for Ain Z7halta municipality organized a 4-week drawing course for a number of young men and women of all ages. The course covered the art of oil and water painting, as well as glass and pottery painting, and closed with an exhibition showcasing the creations and art works of participants. The exhibition is expected to last until September 1. (As Safir, Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, August 30, 2016)

 

Pursuant to our news yesterday on the difficulty faced by the local labor market to accommodate the large number of graduates because of the nature of their specialties, (c.f.: http://bit.ly/2bStigQ), we turn today to the problem of high level of expectations in terms of salaries and other employment terms. The results of the survey carried out by Universum Global targeting 3560 students in the disciplines of engineering, information technology, banking and trade from seven universities across Lebanon, have indicated that graduates expect a monthly salary averaging nearly LBP 2,900,000 (LBP 2,628,173 for females against LBP 3,239,976 for male students). The survey also indicated a preference by students for opportunities to improve their professional skills and capacities against other employment terms (high salaries, travel abroad and leadership opportunities…), with the exception of engineering and IT graduates who expressed a preference for high pay over the development of professional skills. On their preferred professional field, more than one third of business/ commerce majors opted for management and strategic consultation, followed by banking, media and advertising industries. On their favorite firms, Google, topped the list, followed by Apple, L’Oreal, Nestle and Procter & Gamble for the first five positions. On the other hand, the survey pointed out that one third of engineering/IT students prefers to work in engineering and manufacturing rather than in construction and energy. The preferred companies in the said sectors, were Google, followed by Dar al Handasa, Apple, Microsoft and Samsung. (Al Akhbar, August 27, 2016)

 

In its edition of August 27, Al Akhbar daily published an article on difficulties facing fresh graduates and the labor market that has repeatedly failed to accommodate their large numbers in the absence of appropriate vocational orientation and the unreasonably high expectations of students in terms of salary and jobs. We will address today the first subject featured by the newspaper under the title ‘unemployment in disguise’, leaving for tomorrow the results of a survey by Universum Global on the expectations of graduate students. In its definition of disguised unemployment, Al Akhbar said it represents the professions which number of contractors or owners offset the market’s needs. Or for example, the marginal and temporary jobs that have no promotion or stability incentives (like the delivery persons, hookah, stamps sellers, etc). In its analysis, the newspaper maintained that some professions in Lebanon, like medicine, engineering, law and banking, have proliferated because of many contributing factors. First, comes the role of the state, and gave an example the post of planning which normally is the function of a public department or ministry but which has been completely replaced by the Council of Development and Construction which nevertheless does not carry out that function. Secondly, universities which graduate high numbers of potential jobless youth, and thirdly, the citizen him/herself. In the case of the latter, the parents and the student team up to look for a specialty that guarantees a secure livelihood but, who end up choosing one of the four professions mentioned earlier. Al Akhbar went on to say that in case of failure of all the above, there remains the army, the security forces and gendarmerie which yet suffer of masked unemployment, in addition to the transportation sector. In this context, the newspaper highlighted some internationally flourishing fields of education, like the osteopaths, but which Lebanon’s youth don’t give preference to. Other professions on the rise globally, include architectural repair related to the study of theoretical and applied principles in restoring heritage buildings. (Al Akhbar, August 27, 2016)