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After the various sit-ins carried out by milk producers in Akkar and Zahleh, and poultry farmers and egg producers during last month, to demand the protection of domestic production, some progress was noted in addressing these two issues. 

As such, the Lebanese dairy producers seemed comfortable with the outcomes of the meeting held two days ago and which included representatives of the ministers of agriculture, industry and economy, and members of the National Committee for Milk and Owners of Dairy Factories. The meeting discussed challenges in the marketing of the domestic production of fresh milk, among other pressing issues. In this respect, engineer Kheir Jarrah, on behalf of the dairy farmers, shared with An Nahar newspaper the encouraging decisions taken at the end of the meeting namely 1) maintain the fixed price of one liter of fresh milk at LBP 1000, 2) stress the role of the Consumers Protection Department in monitoring dairy standards and specifications of dairy products, 3) set regulations for the import of milk, and 4) form a joint committee of representatives of the relevant ministries, farmers and factories to supervise implementation of above results. Meanwhile, the ministries of industry, agriculture and economy also discussed with a number of stakeholders in the poultry sector problems they face because of illegal imports of chicken and agreed to submit a proposal for raising the price of imported chicken and putting an end to the growing smuggling across the border. As concerning egg production, parties concerned agreed to increase the value of subsidies for exports carried through IDAL.

As Safir, Al Diyar, An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, May 4 and 5, 2016

 

Related previous news: 

Milk producers demand protection of domestic production

Poultry farmers stage a sit-in to demand protection against foreign competition

 

In a statement addressed to the government yesterday, the president of the Lebanese Industrialists Association, Fadi Gemayel, asked for an extension of the LBP 21 billion financial package which was earmarked to support the maritime export of made-in-Lebanon industrial and agricultural products to Arab countries, and that it after the expiry of the 7-month period originally set for the scheme. Gemayel also requested a broader and all-inclusive initiative to subsidize the cost of exports, in such a way that it covers all the importing countries and not just the Gulf countries, Iraq and Jordan which were targeted following the closure of the Syrian land borders. The industrialists' president clarified that his demand comes a result of the continuous decline in industrial exports and growing operational costs. The industrial sector, Gemayel concluded, has since 2012 lost nearly 30% of its exports, stressing that, with proper support, this vital sector will be able to offset the estimated USD one billion in losses which were recorded.

(As Safir, Al Diyar, An Nahar, May 5, 2016)

 

The Lebanese International University LIU organized yesterday its 11th annual job fair under the sponsorship of Labor Minister Sajaan Azzi and with the presence of LIU president, Abdel Rahim Mrad and the participation of a large number of local companies representatives. On the occasion, Azzi reiterated his ministry’s efforts to protect and preserve the domestic workforce and control, without excluding the possibility of taking advantage of foreign skills. He said that Lebanon always needs expertise, but that the priority is for Lebanese workers, and “wherever there is a Lebanese who can fill an open vacancy, it would be a crime to replace him with someone who is not Lebanese, no matter his nationality or status.” Azzi warned of a systematic invasion by foreign nationals of various sectors of the labor market, noting that “the Lebanese are being disqualified and replaced by outsiders,” as he puts it. During another previous similar event, Azzi appealed to the Lebanese to boycott any corporation or institution that does not employ locals, and urged students to believe in their country and to seriously and whole-heartedly seek employment in Lebanon first. (Al Mustaqbal, May 5, 2016)

 

In its edition of today, As Safir daily devoted a feature highlighting a waning glass craft, particularly in Al Badawi region, as a result of the absence of government support of this domestic industry. Expounding on the subject, As Safir drew attention to the substantial decline in the artisan industry which saw the closure of two factories in the face of illegal competition from neighbouring Syria. One glass factory, the newspaper reported, still stands resilient with minimum survival skills and a sharp deficit suffered by its owners who urged officials for support to protect the trade that represents a major source of livelihood for tens of families. As Safir interviewed the owner of the above factory in Al Badawi area, Abdel Hamid Qubeitri, who complained that the profession, is largely abandoned and forsaken here. We went on to say that the competing industry is subsidized and protected by the government in Syria. He also decried the high operational costs of electricity and industrial diesel, which together with illegal competition is prompting Lebanese businesses to close.

As Safir, May 5, 2016

 

In its issue of today, An Nahar newspaper published an article by former director of UNICEF in Lebanon, Dr. Ali Zein on the rights of women to work and breast feed, with special focus on the positive health and economic benefits of breast feeding. Zein pointed out that notwithstanding the international recognition of motherhood as a social occupation, Lebanon has not to date endorsed the International Maternity Protection Convention. The government, Zein explained, reduced the agreement to an extension to 10 weeks of the maternity leave in the private and public sectors by virtue of the Law of April, 2014, noting though that it is one of the shortest maternity leaves in the world. Quoting the Central Administration of Statistics data for 2011, Zein said it has shown that the level of formal employment for women in Lebanon stood at 20.5%, increasing to a record high of 47% for under 30 years of age, then dropping to 33% in the course of five years and reaching a low of 19% at the age of 45 years. This, Zein maintained, confirms that existing policies place working women against two options: continue to work or raise a family. Even if the mother chose to continue breast feeding her child, Zein clarified, her job prevents her from doing that, particularly in the absence of proper legislations that protect and respect her wish. On the subject of women working in the informal sector, and who constitute a big percentage of the workforce, Zein noted that due to the unofficial registration of similar jobs and occupations, women workers are left with no rights and  are therefore unprotected. The former UNICEF representative finally underlined the need for Lebanon to sign the Maternity Convention and to develop a new law that will ensure the protection of motherhood. (An Nahar, May 5, 2016)

 

In a report published last Saturday, Al Akhbar daily noted that describing the first of May Labor Day as a holiday associated with male workers and providers has many reasons. One notable factor is historically related to the definition of ‘labor’ by capitalist systems which do not count domestic work as real work or job. On the subject, the newspaper interviewed feminist researcher and activist, Bernadette Daou, who stressed that Labor Day is an annual occasion celebrated by various leftists movements. She pointed out that “while most of the communist parties look at labor from a mainstream point of view which is based on the ‘work for pay’ notion, there are jobs that remain unrewarded, such as housekeeping.” Underlining the need to give it an  economic value, Daou said that recognizing housework not only does justice to women as a social class, but also to a large category of migrant and refugee domestic workers who live under harsh conditions closer to slavery. This, she explained, is because of the lack of recognition of domestic work as an occupation that calls for equal guarantees and rights for its workers. Daou maintained that not recognizing housework worsens the exploitation of women, for they have to work inside and outside their house. However, she added, labeling domestic work as an inferior occupation immediately stops when it is acknowledged as a job that has economic value. Similarly, professor of sociology and feminism, Rima Majed, considered that celebrating Labor Day as a holiday for “the male breadwinner” is mostly attributed to the dominant male patriarchal mentality.” (Al Akhbar, April 30, 2016)

 

The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers WAN-IFRA organized last April 27 a round table in Beirut to discuss its pioneer program ‘Women in the News’. The purpose of the said program is to empower women journalists and editors in targeted countries of Africa and the Middle East region, (Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Palestine, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Botswana) and facilitate their promotion to senior jobs within media institutions. The meeting also sought to engage executives and experts in the media and discover or create new ways that support gender equality, particularly in senior positions in the print and electronic media.

The Daily Star, April 28, 2016

 

Previous related news:

‘Women in the News’ forum in Alexandria to train women in media management

http://bit.ly/1Z6VzA5

The president of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Tripoli and the North, Tawfic Dabbussi, distributed grants to four pioneer youth groups for their winning projects in line with the ‘Young Entrepreneurs of Tripoli-Lebanon Program’ applications, while noting that each grant amounted to USD 15 thousand. The ceremony was held last Thursday at the Chamber’s ‘Al Bayat’ business incubator and comes within the framework of partnership between the said incubator and UNDP in Lebanon. The program is aimed at training young entrepreneurs to improve the methodologies of their work plans and feasibility studies on various innovative undertakings. It also seeks to stimulate their self-motivated initiatives by enhancing their capacity to develop creative ideas into viable projects. Dabbussi praised the “dynamic and incessant role played by Al Bayat business incubator through its adoption of the developmental training program to empower young innovators and provide them with the necessary skills and knowledge that help start up or expand their projects.” (Al Diyar, An Nahar, April 29, 2016)