Raya al-Hassan defends SEZ in Tripoli and downplays the rights of workers

The Council of Ministers appointed last month former Minister Raya al-Hassan, head of the special economic zone (SEZ) in Tripoli, in accordance with the regulatory decrees issued in 2009. In an interview with L’Orient Le Jour April 25, Hassan considered that political differences were the main reason behind the delay in the appointments. While noting the absence of precise figures to measure the actual level of unemployment in Tripoli, Hassan confirmed that 80% of the population of Tripoli is deprived of basic care services, like social security, health services, water and education. She emphasized the need to move forward in the setting up of the Zone in order to lift the Tripoli population from their current misery, while stressing that the area will undoubtedly benefit from the reconstruction process in Syria. Hassan also indicated potential support from international donors, namely the World Bank. Concerning the rights of men and women workers' in the zone, Hassan said that they will benefit from health services and will have access to legal support should their rights as defined by local labor law and international conventions be infringed upon, adding that SEZ special regulations will be reviewed if they do not observe those basic labor rights. (L’Orient Le Jour, 25 April 2015)