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The Syndicate of Owners of Recruitment Agencies for Migrant Domestic Workers (MWDW) held its monthly meeting on March 22nd to discuss conditions in the sector and ways to confront challenges. One major challenge is in following up with the labor ministry the various memorandums of understanding signed with embassies of sending countries. Participants in the meeting asked the labor minister, Mohammad Kabbara, to speed up procedures in order to close this file and work seriously in disciplining offices or brokers violating the laws regulating the sector. The Syndicate also appealed to citizens willing to employ migrant domestic workers to make sure the recruiting office is legitimate, certified and member of the Syndicate to safeguard their rights and the rights of MWDWs. On the other hand, Kabbara met with the ambassador of Bangladesh, Abdel Mutalib Sarker, who grieved the difficulties Bengali nationals in Lebanon are facing, calling for cooperation to this end, and announcing that his country has started a training programme for its nationals who wish to work in Lebanon. (L’Orient Le Jour, March 22, 2017)

 

 

The minister of information, Melhem Riyachi handed yesterday the human rights activist Antoinette Shahine an honorary shield in recognition of her resilience in serving her country. Riyachi on the occasion said he is privileged to honor what he termed as the “iron lady” who has fought and resisted challenges throughout generations. Ogassapian lauded the natural qualities of freedom, democracy and human dignity Shahine boasts which made her a model in Lebanon and abroad. The honoree for her part, expressed pride in receiving the shield of the “fourth authority”, and which, as she said, can do the impossible. Shahine said that as proud as she is to be the daughter of an ordinary fisherfolk and a baker, she is honored to be appointed as the ambassador of human rights and to be granted the French citizenship. “When I was first arrested, injustice was prevailing, but now, I pledge to carry on determinedly and unflaggingly,” Shahine said. To be noted, Shahine was imprisoned for 5 years on charges of involvement in bombing Sayyidat al Najat Church and was sentenced to death but appealed her case. The ceremony was held yesterday in the presence of the minister of state for women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian, and a number of MPs and dignitaries. (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, March 28, 2017)

During the period which preceded the election of the new president and the formation of the new cabinet, which witnessed very high political tensions and uncertainties, the data of the Retail Sales Index for the second half of 2016, recorded a persistent decline. The Index, to note, was published on March 15 by the Lebanese Franchise Association (LFA) and the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. The 9 categories of consumer goods and services in the country, have fallen by 0.75% in 2016 compared to 2015, while the overall retail index remained at 10.23% below its 2012 base year level, which is 11.10%. The chair of the Lebanese Federation of Chambers, Mohamad Shukair, explained that the downfall reflects a slow economic growth, but said that notwithstanding the election of the president of the country and the resultant government, Lebanon has seen a continuous economic slowdown in the first 2 months of the present year, in fact, the harshest for years. This, he maintained, is indicative of a more profound problem that requires a comprehensive economic emergency plan. Shukair criticized the combination of tax hikes imposed by the Government on ordinary individuals and establishments and the extensive state spending, warning this will make things worse. For his part, LFA president, Charles Arbid, pointed out that the retail activity index designates a prolonged recession which has undermined the capacities of businesses to expand their investments and generate more jobs, noting that such indices denote a continual decline for the fourth consecutive year. It should be noted, that the Beirut Traders Association Fransabank Retail Index-First Quarter 2016, has shown a relative activity of the Lebanese markets during the optimistic period in the first quarter of the past year, but which quickly slowed down during consultations for elections of the President and the formation of the Cabinet, and remained modest after that period (c.f: http://bit.ly/2nEfbTa) . (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, Al Hayat, March 16, 2017)

 

 

 

While the Parliamentary Commission on Women and Children's Affairs was tackling the issue of raising the age of marriage, and has to this end, formed a sub-committee to discuss the matter with involved religious circles, in his address on the occasion of the Muslim Woman day on March 18, the secretary general of Hezbollah, Sayyid Hassan Nasrallah, described early marriage as ‘divine’, and warned that whoever fights it is an accomplice to the devil. Nasrallah accused media channels and some organizations of serving the interests and objectives of those seeking to undermine Arab families. In this respect, the General Secretariat of the Lebanese Parliament organized a round table on March 23 in collaboration with UNDP under the title, ‘banning child marriage’. Partaking in the discussion, were some of women rights groups, notably Kafa Enough Violence and Exploitation and the Lebanese Women Democratic Gathering (RDFL) who denounced the Personal Status Law for infringing on the rights of the child under the disguise of religion. To note, however, and according to L’Orient Le Jour newspaper, all the political blocs agreed in principle to eliminate early marriage, except Hezbollah MPs. On the subject, UNDP representative to Lebanon, Philippe Lazzarini, reminded of the country’s participation in the sustainable plan adopted by the United Nations, which includes the issue of marriage of children. Lazzarini drew attention to the numbers of early marriage contracts during 2016, pointing to an increase brought about by a corresponding increase in the number of Syrian and Palestinian refugees from Syria. According to Lazzarini, the rate of marriage (among minors from 15 and 19 years of age), has risen by 8% to 10%, particularly in the regions of Akkar and Beqaa. The parliamentary session also discussed a draft legislation to protect children from forced child marriage which was prepared by RDFL and with the contribution of Judge Jean Azzi and Dr. Omar Nashabeh. For more on the draft bill, kindly visit the following link: : http://nna-leb.gov.lb/ar/show-news/275797/ (An Nahar, L’Orient Le Jour, March 23 and 24, 2017)

 

The leading mobile telecommunications company, Touch, organized its annual Mother’s Day lunch on Friday in honor of influential TV working mothers during the small screen’s golden age. The event was held under the auspices of the ministers of communications and women’s affairs, and in the presence of Touch personnel and mothers. During the ceremony, the minister of communications, Jamal Jarrah, pointed out that women do not only represent half of society, but are also its dynamo,” as he put it. “We honor today media figures who have contributed to bringing Lebanon to a prominent position in the media at the Arab and international levels,” Jarrah said. Ogassapian, for his part, praised the honorees who, he said, were distinctive and self-established, which again “demonstrates the competence and capability of the Lebanese woman.” Besides being a good mother, the Lebanese woman plays a pivotal role in building society and the nation, Ogassapian stated. Likewise, Touch CEO, Emre Gorkhan, said that Mother’s Day gives Touch the opportunity to highlight positive achievements of women in community. This year’s celebration, he maintained, is addressed to outstanding women who have largely contributed to the institution and development of the media in the country, besides being mothers. The honorees are: Jeanne d’Arc Abu Zeid, Nadia Habib Arida, Haifa Jarudi, Suad Qarut Ashi, Maha Salma, Neemat Azuri Ussi, Neemat Qarut Shatila, Wafa Oud, Badia Beydun, Dolly Ghanem and Gysele Khury. )Al Mustaqbal, March 25, 2017)

 

The state minister for women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian, referred to the Cabinet on Friday a draft bill that would ensure gender equality in the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Law. The explanatory statement of the proposed law states that as the current National Social Security Act contains provisions which do not observe equality between the sexes in terms of NSSF benefits, while at the same time do not discriminate in terms of contributions paid by members regardless of their sex, therefore, it should be amended. The adjustment, according to the explanatory statement, requires the eradication of any discrimination or prejudice in terms of benefits of members or benefiting other people from the said law. (Al Diyar, March 25, 2017)

 

Al Hayat newspaper wondered in an article published yesterday if the Lebanese media really reflects the role Syrian women refugees in supporting their families and enduring the toughest circumstances of displacement. Al Hayat highlighted a study prepared by Abaad organization in collaboration with Women League for International Peace and Freedom entitled ‘Negative’ portraying the image of displaced Syrian women in the Lebanese media between 2015 and 2016. According to the study, the handling of the refugee issue by the mainstream media was not different from the political state of affairs, noting that treating the Syrian women, in particular, did not vary either, Al Hayat wrote. They remained absent, barely occupying 3% of the news published in newspapers and 29% of the televised reports. The shy presence in the news was exhibited in the context of the crackdown last April on a human trafficking network east of the capital, the study showed. The journalistic coverage mostly depicted those women as victims of domestic violence, human trafficking or victims of macho dominant communities, the study indicated, mentioning that reporting remained within the ordinary humanitarian context. The above study by Abaad drew attention to the extensive and almost spontaneous use of negative stereotypical terms in this regard, which reflects inadequateness on part of journalists and reporters as per the relevance of the language to be used in such cases. In conclusion, Al Hayat citing the study pointed out to the generalized sweeping statements lightly adopted by the media when referring to Syrian refugees. This, in turn, leads to marginalization of women issues for lack of efficiency in investigative follow-up. The Syrian woman refugee, the study concluded, ends up to be a mere victim that has no political, social or economic role whatsoever, the study said. (Al Hayat, March 23, 2017 

The President of the Republic Michel Aoun stressed yesterday the need to set specific taxes that boost the economy, saying he is not justifying the newly imposed taxes and understands the anger of the people. Aoun called for setting an economic plan which clarifies the use of tax revenues and enhances the mode of collection through proper implementation of relevant laws and regulation of the generated proceeds. Corruption, Aoun maintained, consumes half of the state revenues President Aoun, who was speaking during a meeting with a broad delegation of the National Consultative Gathering of Baalbek-Hermel Clans and Families, disclosed that he is collaborating with the government and authorities concerned to develop a comprehensive strategy that promotes a resilient economy and constitutes a plan of action to gradually improves the situation. “It is impossible to eradicate corruption that has been amassed over 27 years in only a few months in the life of the new presidency and government, Aoun stated. He concluded by asserting that despite the extensive internal and external crises which weigh heavily on the performance of public and state institutions, he counts much on the joint efforts of the Lebanese people to fight corruption as he pledged during his inauguration and independence day speeches . (AL Mustaqbal, Al Hayat, Al Diyar March 23, 2017)

 

The Empowerment of Women in the Finance and Banking Sector Forum honored on March 3 the CEO to the Central Bank Governor Marian Howayek. The event was organized jointly by the World Union of Arab Bankers and Union of Arab Banks (UAB), in cooperation with the Lebanese and Arab civil society associations and the Arab Women Organization at the Arab League. The UAB president and head of the Association of Banks in Lebanon (ABL), Dr. Joseph Torbay, handed Howayek a shield of appreciation in recognition of her efforts in the field. The honoree, in return, asserted the primary role of women in all sectors, chiefly, the banking and financial sectors, pressing the need to give all women the opportunity to learn and demonstrate their capacities.(Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, March 21 and 24, 2017)

 

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The industry minister, Dr. Hussein Hajj Hassan, met on Tuesday with the EU Ambassador to Lebanon, Christina Lassen, to discuss the critical economic situation in the country and to demand again for the opening of European markets to Lebanese goods. Hajj Hassan asked the EU to adopt an exceptional treatment that could boost Lebanon’s growth, stimulate its economy, facilitate the opening of new factories, expand production and opportunities of export with the aim to secure more jobs for the Lebanese, firstly, and displaced Syrians, secondly. The minister focused in his discussion on the need to open up the European markets to made-in-Lebanon goods after ensuring their excellence. These include, medicines and drugs, cheeses, dairy products, meat, spices, nuts, coffee, as well as, electronics and IT products. The clothing industry, Hajj Hassan said, is another sector that can be swiftly invested in, is affordable and can create thousands of jobs, especially for women. He appealed for help in raising Lebanon’s exports to EU countries from USD 300 million to between USD 800 million and USD 1 billion. For her part, Lassen supported the minister’s proposal, while attaching it to a political solution in Syria. However, she said the EU is prepared to embark on a long-term collaboration based on the provision of specialized training and rehabilitation programs in tune with European requirements.It is to be noted that Hajj Hassan had declared repeated warnings concerning the huge trade deficit, namely between Lebanon and Europe previously, since Lebanese exports to the EU countries have seen a modest increase (only USD 300 million) (from USD 200 million in 2000 according to industry ministry figures) against a disproportionate upsurge in the opposite direction (EU exports to Lebanon rose from USD 2 billion to USD 8.5 billion in the past 14 years) (c.f:  http://bit.ly/2gyd6Fd)  (Al Diyar, March 23, 2017)

 

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