Subscribe to newsletter

Custom Search 1

You are here

Home

News

English

Youth empowerment for accessing the job market in Tripoli

21-12-2016

The Business Incubator affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Tripoli and the North celebrated yesterday the completion of YES TRIPOLI program aimed at facilitating youth employment and support of owners of small and medium enterprises. The project, to be noted, is funded by the Regional Development and Protection Program managed by Denmark. On the occasion, the Tripoli Chamber President, Tawfiq Dabussi, hailed the success of the program which provided some 150 beneficiaries from around 73 enterprises with the required tools that will enhance their career life. The project which targeted both young men and young women included training workshops in the following vocations: audit, hospitality, mechatronics and electrical and sanitary extensions for buildings. In conclusion, and in addition to the needed work tools, graduates received certificates from the Directorate General of Vocational Education. (Al Mustaqbal, December 21, 2016) 
 

 

Share on

Women organizations criticize the marginalization of women in new cabinet

20-12-2016

A number of women organisations expressed dismay yesterday over the marginalization of women in the newly-formed government and the naming of a male to run the women affairs portfolio, while totally disregarding the persistent demands in the representation quota and the right of women to grant nationality to their families. To note, one woman was appointed in the 30-minister cabinet but was excluded from key ministries (c.f http://bit.ly/2hVyEcp). In this respect, Kafa Enough Violence and Exploitation organization director, Zoya Ruhana, conveyed to An Nahar newspaper her dissatisfaction with the newly established ministry dubbing it as a ceremonial, powerless, budget less and vacuous portfolio. Kafa has pointed out in a statement yesterday that fear over the confessional distribution of seats is greater than the concern for women’s representation, describing it as a “purely patriarchal” government. In this context, Lina Abu Habib, executive director of the Collective for Research and Training on Development (CRTD.A) also criticized the idea of inventing a ministry for women’s affairs, stating that it was never one of the demands of women and feminist organizations that aim for equality in representation. Abu Habib drew attention to the fact that challenges facing women are inter-ministerial and cannot be downsized to one portfolio, noting that the National Commission for Lebanese Women set up since the Beijing Platform of Action has not had the opportunity to be productive. For her part, the Lebanese Women Democratic Gathering activist, lawyer Manar Zuaiter, decried the naming of a man for a women’s ministry, stressing that women issues cannot be approached in that way. Similarly, Women in Parliament Coalition said it remains resolute in its request to include the 30% quota in the ministers statement of the new government. On the other hand, the president of the Lebanese Council of Women, lawyer Iqbal Dughan, considered the women’s ministry as a progressive step if led by a woman or man involved with women’s issues. Nasawiya activist, Nadine Muawad, said the glitch lies in the ability of the man minister of women’s affairs to adopt and advocate women issues and rights. Meanwhile, the newly named minister of women’s affairs, Jean Ogassapian, exclaimed his respect and understanding for the supporters and antagonists of his appointment, stating that he is open to all suggestions. )L’Orient Le Jour, Al Diyar, Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, Al Akhbar, December 20, 2016)
 

Share on

Waleed Bin Talal’s donation to save the apple harvest of Ehmej

20-12-2016

Former minister, Leila Solh Hamadeh, visited Ehmej, Byblos, last Thursday on invitation from the town mayor to witness hands-on the process of sterilizing, sorting and packing of apples with the use of novel industrial machinery donated by her institution. To note, Al Waleed Bin Talal Philanthropic Foundation has earlier provided the municipality of Ehmej with high-tech equipment to this end. Solh revealed on the occasion that she is back with “another pivotal development project that benefits the area and its residents,” hoping this would contribute to salvaging this year’s apple production following the recent marketing crisis. (An Nahar, L’Orient Le Jour, December 19, 2016)
 

 

Share on

New Lebanese cabinet: One woman minister and a women affairs portfolio

19-12-2016

Notwithstanding the various demands by civil and women organisations in Lebanon demanding the participation of women in political life with a minimum 30% quota, and despite intensive visits to political parties to this end, the birth of the government yesterday came contrary to all expectations. One woman, Inaya Izzidine, member of Amal Movement Political Bureau, was appointed as minister of State for Administrative Development among the 30-minister cabinet. Surprisingly, a minister from the “future” bloc, was named as minister for the newly established women’s affairs portfolio, a fact which further shows the withdrawal of political parties from supporting and nominating women to decision making positions (c.f. previous news below). Also, and within the context of repeated pledges, the new prime minister, Saad Hariri, made clear that his government has a specific task to prepare and implement the upcoming parliamentary elections and therefore, will be busy devising a new electoral law which will definitely press for women’s quota. On naming a man for the women’s affairs ministry, Hariri admittedly said: “We might have been careless,” but confirmed that the adoption of the quota shall be key demand for the forthcoming elections. “Should we wait for political parties to decide on the right women for ministers, this will not take us anywhere,” Hariri warned. Meanwhile, House Speaker, Nabih Berri, during his meeting with Women in Parliament coalition last Friday, described women’s quota as unavoidable, promising to involve the coalition in meetings of parliamentary committees studying the elections law. Berri said he supports the one third women share, which is 33%, adding that personally he would love to see 50% of parliamentary seats occupied by women. (As Safir, An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, December 17 and 19, 2016)
 
Previous related news:
 
 

 

Share on

Responses to newspaper’s accusations against Orthodox Church in sexual harassment case

19-12-2016

In response to an earlier feature in Al Akhbar daily on December 13 regarding to the sexual harassment of underage children by Orthodox Church priest which was published coincidentally on December 14, the date of the Appellate Greek Orthodox Court hearing against Archimandrite Farah (http://lkdg.org/ar/node/15891), the Greek Orthodox archimandrite of Tripoli, Father Ibrahim Sruji, wrote an article on December 16th , expounding his stand on the subject. Sruji maintained that he is not after “protecting anyone, but rather is concerned that his brothers are alarmed at instances of harassment while totally disregarding acts of rape engulfing our church since 1972.” Sruji was insinuating to the illegitimate alteration of the statute of the Church’s Constitution issued in 1955, which requires bishops to conduct accountability and disciplinary boards, contrary to the “uncontrollable” conduct overlooked by the distorted law. On the subject of sexual harassment, Sruji stated that no indictment or condemnation was issued against Farah, hence he is “considered innocent until proven guilty.” He cited St. Paul the Apostle’s words on kindness in reference to priest Farah’s human erring. Meanwhile, the chief of the Gathering of Beirut Families, Nicolas Jean Tueini, considered in a statement on December 14, that the title of Al Akhbar’s article gives a final verdict ahead of the hearing, pointing out that Farah’s way of life does not suggest or imply any disgraceful acts. Tueini clarified that the Parish has taken a set of precautionary measures in anticipation of the ruling. Besides, the Parish of Orthodox Church group who signed a petition entitled “a priest is not above the law”, clarified that they are only responsible about the statement of the petition but not about Al-Akbar article. (Al Akhbar, December 14 and 16, 2016)
 

 

Share on

Unemployment data in Lebanon not accurate and job crisis results from failing economic policies

19-12-2016

Existing data on the Lebanese labor market is meagre, with an estimated workforce of 1207000 persons in 2009, at an annual 6.6% rate of increase, according to researcher Najib Issa. During a seminar on ‘employment and the labor market crisis in Lebanon’, organized by the Lebanese Observatory for the Rights of Workers and Employees, in cooperation with the Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND), Issa indicated that the informal labor market makes up around 56% of the overall actual workforce, with 39% of laborers having informal jobs. On unemployment rates, Issa, citing official 2010 statistics, said they stood at around 11%, but, he added, these figures were partly politicized and erroneously standardized rendering them inaccurate. As per international estimates, which obviously lack the precise field assessment value, the rates of unemployment fluctuated between 20-25%. However, the rate of annual new arrivals into the local labor market has been stable, (40 to 45 thousand persons), Issa maintained. Joblessness, he explained, chiefly affects the young generation and highly educated and qualified cadres, noting that the unemployment period extends from 1 to 2 years in average, which is quite lengthy. Analyzing the causes of the labor crisis in the country, Issa said it was mostly structural and linked to inadequate economic policies which constantly failed to create jobs. He advised boosting economy, particularly the knowledge-based economy and supporting highly productive and job generating small and medium enterprises. (Al Diyar, December 17, 2016)
 

 

Share on

Academic fair for orientation of Palestinian youth in Lebanon

19-12-2016

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) opened last Thursday its Fifth Annual Academic Fair to support young Palestinian refugees in their pursuit of educational and professional opportunities. The event took place at Hoops Club in Beirut, with the participation of some 26 universities, academic institutions and scholarship providers. The exhibition is funded by the EU Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) which secures education, training and employment support for Palestinian youth, in cooperation with the Lebanese Universities League, said a press release by UNRWA. The expo provides more than 650 Palestinian refugee 12th grade students with the needed information and assistance to help them plan their future careers, including advice on educational programs, disciplines and scholarships available at the private and public Lebanese and foreign institutes at the undergraduate and graduate levels as well as info on admission processes. On the occasion, UNRWA’s Acting Director in Lebanon, Hakam Shahwan, indicated that the event gives school students direct access to educational prospects allowing them to make their decisions accordingly, stressing the continuing support by the Agency and the EU to Palestinian youth to build and sustain this hope. (Al Mustaqbal, December 17, 2016)
 

 

Share on

Azzi seeks foreign cooperation to repair the archaic “Kafala” system

16-12-2016

Caretaker labor minister, Sajaan Azzi, said that he has shared with countries of nationals working in Lebanon the recent procedures taken by his ministry in order to protect human rights of migrant domestic workers in the country and regulate the work of recruiting agencies. Azzi, who was speaking after a meeting yesterday with the ambassadors of Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Ethiopia, announced that, in observance of relevant standards set by international organizations, the ministry of labor has kicked off a so-called “reform plan” which cuts down the number of agencies to 317 offices by suspending the work of some 130 others. Azzi acknowledged that most of the migrant workers recruitment offices authorized during the past 30 years have not met the legal and professional standards and have mirrored the political and confessional groups in the country. Azzi called on the concerned countries to cooperate in order to reach the desired ends from the “reform campaign”. “I have consented to some conditions which otherwise could have been rebuffed, and that is only to facilitate the implementation of agreements that already have been completed by the ministry of labor,” Azzi maintained. The concerned countries have been notified about these new plans but have not responded yet, he said, while accusing them of trying to preserve the black mark 
(An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, L’Orient Le Jour, The Daily Star, December 16, 2016)
 
Previous related news:
 

Share on

Girls harassed publicly on pedestrian bridge without any worry!

16-12-2016

In a special report today, As Safir shed light on a myriad of harassment incidents against girls and women on the pedestrian bridge near City Mall east of the capital. The newspaper said the bridge has become an overt hub for harassers who ensnare, chase and then verbally or physically pick on passing women. As Safir considered today’s feature as an official notice to the interior ministry, the municipalities and the internal security apparatuses as well as other concerned parties. For more insight on the subject, the newspaper spoke to Cynthia, a girl who unwillingly chose to change her work to avoid this trying daily encounter. Cynthia revealed that she has been subjected to “over 20 instances of harassment over 2 years when she had to take the bridge because, she said, cab drivers usually declined to drop pedestrians on the other side of the highway without a considerable sum of money.” Layal, another victim, shared with As Safir her experience on the infamous bridge. She was harassed on the bridge under the full watch of the City Mall security guards who, she grieved, did not interfere in what she believed is a familiar scene to them. The City Mall bridge is not the only den for harassers in Lebanon, the newspaper concluded, as there are countless unspecified catch points for mentally perverts and criminals that have never been uncovered. (As Safir, December 16, 2016)
 

 

Share on

Judicial decision halts the deportation of activist, Rosi

16-12-2016

The Judge of Urgent Matters in Beirut, Jad Maaluf, decided on Wednesday to suspend for 2 weeks the deportation of Nepalese migrant women domestic worker, Rosi, until a decision is made on hiring an attorney for her. Rosi, a member of the Syndicate of MWDWs in Lebanon, has been detained since December 5th  at the Directorate General of the General Security. The ruling came after a request submitted to the judge by the General National Federation of Trade Union of Workers and Employees in Lebanon (FENASOL),  to stop the deportation order and appoint an authorized notary to organize a power of attorney to defend Rosie from her prison cell. Accordingly, Judge Maaluf forwarded a copy of the request to the GS for comment within a week from the date of notification in order to help the court complete the investigation before issuance of a final decision. According to FENASOL president, the request was based on serious concerns that the arrest could be linked to activism work, an activity that is recognized and endorsed  internationally, as well as, to previous court rulings which guarantee the rights of defense against unlawful arrest, including for MWDWs.  (Al Akhbar, December 16, 2016)
 
Previous related news:
 

 

Share on

Pages


Subscribe to RSS - News