Labor Ministry tighten control on recruitment agencies and closes one illegal

The Labor Minister Saj3aan Azzi revealed yesterday a of 40% in the level of contract renewal for migrant domestic workers, as the majority of such contracts were either illegal or politically or approved for political reasons. Azzi's statement came after a meeting which was held with the Syndicate of the Owners of Recruitment Agencies of MWDWs in Lebanon to introduce the computerized procedure system launched by the ministry. Azzi claimed that the drop in the number of foreign workforce will eventually improve the employment prospects for Lebanese nationals. The minister stressed that data indicated that recruitment agencies have not exceeded their set individual quota which is of 300 work applications per year. He warned that as of today, permits shall not be given to any non-operational office. Azzi clarified that Lebanon used to host some 627 recruitment agencies, but this number has now dropped to 573 offices, while in fact only 250 offices are needed .

In the same vein, the Labor Ministry’s Inspection Department completed its investigation into the abusive publicity released last year by an operating woman manager of a recruitment office, in which it sells housemaids as presents for mothers on their day. The investigation confirmed that the said woman was operating illegally, hence, the office was closed and the owner referred to the Public Prosecutor. (Al Diyar, An Nahar, March 23 and 24, 2016)