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Labor ministry warns offices against taking money from MWDWs

15-12-2017

The ministry of labor issued yesterday a directive warning agencies recruiting migrant domestic workers (MWDWs) of receiving direct or indirect payments from MWDWs. The ministry said it has learned that some offices are forcing migrant works to pay them the salaries of the first months. The ministry noted that it shall take strict measures against any agency owner who is found to violate the regulations of this circular up to the suspension of his/her license. The above decision is based on a proposal by the National Steering Committee on Women Migrant Domestic Workers in Lebanon and on Article 19 of Decree 1/168 dated November 27, 2015, banning offices from receiving any amount of money, directly or indirectly, from migrant domestic workers. (Al Mustaqbal, AL Diyar, December 15, 2017)

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Gap in labor market in Tripoli and North Lebanon

15-12-2017

In cooperation with UDDP and Tripoli and the North Bar Association, the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Tripoli organized yesterday a seminar entitled, ‘Examining the gap between supply and demand in the labor market in Tripoli and the North’. The President of the Association, Bassam Ziadeh, said there are no official figures in Lebanon that determine which disciplines constitute a large surplus that cannot be absorbed by the local labor market. Besides, he added, coordination is lacking between relevant ministries, universities and unions to guide students on most wanted occupations. According to Al Mustaqbal newspaper, experts partaking in the discussion pointed out that closing the said gap will stimulate the recruitment of about 3,500 young people within SEZ which initially needs between 5,000 and 7,000 positions. The seminar however revealed big loopholes that ought to be addressed through training, cooperation and the integration of new curricula in vocational or university education in order to alleviate the high rates of unemployment in the North (nearly 35%), Al Mustaqbal wrote. Lebanon’s second capital is in bad need for employment opportunities, given that 57% of its inhabitants are poor, 27% live in extreme poverty and 22% of its youth are unemployed. In conclusion, the seminar has largely shown a shortage in skills impeded by an academic approach that supports theoretical rather than applied education; a vocational education incompatible with the requirements of the local labor market; an absence of collaboration between the vocational and private sectors, and an unawareness to capacity building, namely in the technical areas related to maintenance and mechanics, as well as, in life, operational and managerial skills. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, December 15, 2017)

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Arab masculinity confining women to traditional roles

14-12-2017

Al Hayat today highlighted a study published a few days ago in Egypt entitled, ‘the notion of masculinity’. The study was conducted by UN Women in collaboration with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) in four Arab states, namely, Egypt, Palestine, Morocco and Lebanon. Al Hayat said the study has shown ambiguous results on the notion of masculinity, pointing out that the majority of men in the region uphold a wide array of traditional attitudes that perpetuate inequality and violence against women and confine women  to traditional roles. The study also revealed that  men act within these frameworks causing harm to women, children and to themselves. Around two-thirds of men in Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco and Palestine support the idea  that women’s basic role is to care for their household and the daily life of their families, according to the study, which added that about half of women support the same idea. Furthermore, the majority of men believe their role is to monitor and control the movements of women and girls in their family. However, and despite the fact that some women are dissatisfied with male guardianship role, yet some consider it a moral satisfaction, while the remaining accept the idea. The study has also shown that the conventional masculine role of men in providing for the household is being exposed to major shocks. This could be the result of the tremendous economic turbulences in the wake of so-called Arab Spring which erupted in 2011, which led to an increased pressure on women, but this time out of physical need. (Full the full study, kindly refer to:  https://imagesmena.org/en/). (Al Hayat, December 14, 2017)
 
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Women on the Front Lines in Jordan

14-12-2017

The May Chidiac Foundation (MCF) organized last Tuesday the 2nd regional edition of the Women on the Front Lines Conference (WOFL)- MENA Chapter in the Jordanian capital Amman. The event was held under the patronage of Jordanian premier represented by the minister of development affairs, Hala Bsisso Latouf, and with the attendance of a large crowd of influential women in media, politics and economy as well as business figures. In her speech, MCF founder and president May Chidiac drew attention to the achievements of Arab women, focusing on the victorious feats by Jordanian and Lebanese women resulting in the scrapping of articles in the respective Penal Codes that exempt the rapist should he marry his victim. Chidiac also praised Saudi women who claimed their legitimate right to drive after long years of struggle. She concluded by addressing the women in Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Tunisia, Egypt and the whole Arab region saying: “Victories would not have been achieved had it not been for you.” Latouf for her part, pointed out that women and men are partners in confronting difficulties and in accomplishing achievements. She said the title of the conference reflects the impact of the dreadful circumstances on women in the region and the importance of the role of women in strengthening sovereign immunity to bring about change and draw a bright future. The conference included panel discussions with leading women figures who made a difference in politics, media, art, business and management and who shared their life experiences and professional successes with the audience. (An Nahar, December 14, 2017)

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Suha Atallah first Lebanese vice president of WPO

14-12-2017

The chair of the Lebanese Packaging Center (LibanPack) Suha Atallah was appointed vice president of the World Packaging Organization (WPO) by its president, Pierre Peinaar, during the Organization’s board meeting in Rio, Brazil. To recall, this is the first time an Arab holds this post within the WPO, noting that the organization is a non-governmental, non-profit, international federation of national packaging institutes and associations embracing 66 world countries. Atallah will be responsible for the world conferences, exhibitions and prizes in the packaging section. She comes with 17 years of experience in industrial development, packaging, packing and food safety in Lebanon and the Arab region, and is co-founder of LibanPack. Atallah has an established presence in the industry sector here in Lebanon, particularly through raising awareness on the importance of packaging, besides initiating the student Starpack annual awards. Throughout her career life, Atallah has provided consultation services in the packaging and marketing areas to more than 200 industrial enterprises in Lebanon and the region and has worked as an international packaging and marketing expert at UNIDO for more than 10 years. She holds a master’s degree from LAU and has recently completed a course in marketing management at Harvard School of Business. (Al Mustaqbal, December 14, 2017)

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Warning about illegal MWDW recruitment offices

14-12-2017

The Syndicate of Owners of Recruitment Agencies for Migrant Domestic Workers in Lebanon disclosed in a statement yesterday that some individuals who are not certified by the ministry of labor are opening illegal offices to recruit MWDWs. This action jeopardizes the rights of both employers and migrant workers, the statement said, calling on persons who wish to recruit a foreign worker to make sure the agency is a licensed member in the Syndicate to ensure their rights are protected and not fall victims to illicit brokers. The Syndicate asked whoever has information or has faced problems with illegitimate recruitment offices to notify the Syndicate or the labor ministry. It also warned of legal prosecution and punishment any agent in violation of license terms or labor ministry regulations who sells or issues prior permits and facilitates the work of illegal brokers, demanding the ministry to suspend their licenses and prevent them from work. (AL Diyar, December 14, 2017)

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AFKAR III in Deir el Ahmar

13-12-2017

A team from AFKAR III program funded by the EU and managed by the ministry of administrative reform (OMSAR) toured the projects implemented by the program in Deir Ahmar to assess initial results so far. The delegation visited Beit Abu Sleibi village and was briefed on the Lake Mallaha project before meeting with women beneficiaries from the Women Association Deir Ahmar. During the tour, Yumna Gharib AFKAR III officer disclosed that projects carried out in the semi-arid region of Deir Ahmar are aimed at the environmental improvement of sustainable management of irrigation and household water consumption at a cost of 500,000 Euro. She said that local civil society groups, women and agricultural coops and municipalities have taken part in the development and management of a sustainable irrigation system to the end of preserving the environment. Such projects, she said, will improve agricultural productivity and reduce drought, in addition to training local farmers, women and students on how to rationalize the use of water. Similarly, the project coordinator from the Institute for University Cooperation (ICU), Carol Hashem, noted that the implementation began in June 2016 and will be completed in May 2018. For her part, the minister of state for administrative reform, Dr. Inaya Ezzedine, underlined during a meeting yesterday with a program delegation, the work plan of AFKAR aimed to institutionalize civil society organizations, develop their capacities and promote accountability among them according to principles of good governance. “We also seek to benefit from the experience in order to streamline it,” Ezzedine added. (Al Diyar, December 13, 2017)

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Civil society discusses entrepreneurship in Lebanon

13-12-2017

As part of Empowering Lebanese Entrepreneurs project (ELE), the Middle East Partnership Initiative Alumni Lebanon Association MEPI LAA organized yesterday a panel discussion on entrepreneurship in Lebanon in the presence of representatives of universities and civil society groups. On the occasion, Rawi Abu Zeid, administrative board member, pointed out that 53 young men and women (aged 20-40) from all the Lebanese regions have benefited from the project. This included entrepreneurial training skills, proposal writing as well as networking with owners of startups, experts and bankers. Maya Baroud, director of the US Embassy Beirut Local Grants Program, underlined the significance of promoting entrepreneurship among the Lebanese youth. The first panel discussion, tackled the role of universities in orienting young people to entrepreneurship through including similar topics within its curricula in order to reduce brain drain and raise the awareness of the Lebanese society, educationally and academically, on successful undertakings. The participating universities (AUB, La Sagesse and ESA) stressed their continued work in this direction. The second panel discussion was devoted to the work of civil society bodies, with emphasis on the impact of field work for the welfare of the community and for improving the socio-economic situation in various Lebanese regions. (Al Diyar, December 13, 2017)

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Supporting women’s mainstreaming in law enforcement

13-12-2017

In cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Mina Tripoli Municipality organized an exhibition about the work of female municipal police entitled ‘this is the municipal police of Mina’. The exhibition (December 5 to 11) included a photo display of women in municipal police as well as audio-visual documentary screenings. A picture that best portrays the important role of the female municipal police was selected within a photography competition. On the sideline of the event, L’Orient Le Jour devoted an article featuring women in municipal police starting from Zahleh and the Beirut suburb of Bourj Hammoud. The newspaper spoke to women who passionately related their experience as members of the municipal police. Stravola Karam, 24 years, a woman in Mina municipal police with  a vocational degree in business and accounting, expressed her enthusiasm during her work on the roads, where she has to enforce respect and stay unabashed when catcalled by men, especially those who refuse to bow down to orders from a woman, as she said. Maysar Sindager, aged 23, a law student, said work with the municipal police has boosted her self-confidence. L’Orient Le Jour mentioned that the Mina municipality has last May recruited some 21 police troops including 6 women. The initiative, the newspaper wrote, was launched by the mayor himself who was keen to develop his municipality and to see women on the roads and not only confined in offices. Women, the mayor said, are more serious and firmer in enforcing laws. The UNDP project director disclosed that the municipalities of Zahle, Bourj Hammoud and Mina that recruit women in their police are supported by the UN agency as part of ‘the inclusion of women in municipal police’ project. A 2-month training program was kicked off in coordination with St. Joseph University (USJ). (L’Orient Le Jour, December 12, 2017)

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Honoring of women municipal police in Burj Hamoud
 

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NCLW president supports Palestinian women

13-12-2017

The president of the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) Claudine Aoun Rukuz warned yesterday that Lebanon will continue to fight for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women until their rights are fully respected and equality achieved on par with men. Rukuz who was participating in the 8th Supreme Council of the Arab Women Organization (AWO) held in Cairo drew attention to the alarming conditions of women and girls in Arab states and the suffering of displaced women and children away from home, stressing this issue should be a priority at the level of joint Arab action. “We must work seriously for their peaceful return to the regions where fighting has stopped and to end all conflicts and wars and to establish the rule of law and protect people from terrorism, namely the vulnerable women and children,” Rukuz stated. She also called for supporting women in Jerusalem in particular and Palestinian women in general in their struggle for maintaining Jerusalem’s Arab identity as it can never be the capital of the occupation state of Israel. “Our cry should reach the international community, the humanitarian and feminist bodies, to stand by us in rejecting the US decision and protect Jerusalem,” Rukuz maintained. She concluded by underlining the need to develop the capacities of women in order to fully participate in facing all challenges jeopardizing the stability of our societies and threatening our security, livelihoods and dignity. (Al Diyar, December 12, 2017)

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