The Ministry of Labor reminded in a statement released on Wednesday employers who wish to recruit foreign workforce that they need to give priority to competent Lebanese youth who qualify for available jobs. The statement warned that it is the ministry’s duty to “track and legally pursue any violator of the above term, noting that the relevant departments receiving any grievances are prepared to resolve them as fast as possible.” The ministry also appealed to all foreign companies and multinationals implementing development projects for the private and public sectors on Lebanese territory, “to initially consider the Lebanese cadres, who are numerous and of all disciplines.” On the other hand, labor ministry inspectors have processed notices and tickets for violating employers who recruit foreign workers that have no work permits or residence papers or are holders of permits from former employers. A number of companies have been referred to the public prosecution to this effect. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, March 17, 2016)