New study on job opportunities in Trade and launch of a new youth employment project

The Beirut Traders Association (BTA) launched a study entitled "The job market in the commercial sector and in related services in Lebanon", which was undertaken jointly with the National Employment Office (NEO) and the Societe Generale Bank.  The event was held yesterday under the auspices of the Minister of Labor (MoL), Sejaan Azzi.  The President of BTA, Nicolas Chammas, noted that this study came about as a result of continuous consultations with the MoL regarding the urgent corrective measures that need to be taken at the social and economic levels.  He added that all trade companies will be contacted to discuss their current and future vision as well as to assess their needs in human resources so as to match with the supply of university graduates, an in order to introduce young people to existing job opportunities.
For his part, the Minister of Labor used the opportunity for launching the first employment opportunity project and to confirm that the Cabinet will soon adopt this project which will provide 5000 job opportunities for young people. Azzi further noted that some LPB 10 billion will be allocated for this project which will be managed by the NEO.  According to Azzi, the project will target young people who are entering the job market for the first time where the NEO will pay 10% of their salaries during their first year in addition to settling the NSSF contribution due by companies and VAT costs on condition that employers guarantee their continuity of the youth employment.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Nahar, Al-Diyar 26 November 2014