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The Syndicate of Jewelers and Goldsmiths in Lebanon criticized in a statement released last Saturday the serious paralysis that is affecting major productive and commercial sectors in the country. For the fourth consecutive year, the statement said, the industry has been suffering a sluggishness that has lately reached the point forcing many industry owners and designers to close their shops and emigrate. The statement appealed to the authorities to show more support to this industry and to save what is left of it. 

In a related vein, the Center for Sustainable Training at the Antonine University organized a 3-day workshop from February 4-6 that focused on the jewelry sector in Lebanon. Quoting industry statistics, the head of the center, Jenny Mshantaf, stated that while Lebanon is considered one of the top five jewelry producers in the world, universities of the country are not engaged in teaching the subject/art. 

 

The Daily Star, February 8, Al Mustaqbal, February 7, 2016 

 

The Labor Ministry in coordination with the Arab Labor Organization (ALO) organized yesterday a seminar entitled, ‘The Arab Working Woman and Emigration’ under the sponsorship of Minister Sajaan Azzi and the participation of ALO director, Fayez Matiri, the General Trade Union Chief, Ghassan Ghosn. Also present were delegates from some 13 Arab countries and representatives of local and regional labor unions. On the occasion, Dr. Iman Khaz3aal, who represented Minister Azzi, pointed out that Lebanon strongly identify with all issues of concern to the Arab World, including labor, and particularly women workers. He noted that Lebanon is a country that exports and imports labor and where women form are an active and essential element in society.  Khaz3aal lamented the high drain of Arab talents in the absence of a structured approach to benefit from them inside their countries. Matiri, for his part, emphasized that immigration has become more visible nowadays amidst the regional political turmoil which has negatively impacted life, work, income and all prospects of ordinary Arab citizens forcing many to face single-handedly their social and economic problems by relocating to other Arab or foreign countries. Matiri also noted that the phenomenon of emigration has mostly affected women, while pressing for an urgent regional and international solution to the current crisis. Finally, he warned that growing unemployment in the source countries, especially among the youth and most precisely among educated women, requires urgent and comprehensive solutions. (Al Diyar, February 11, 2016)

 

In a special feature published yesterday, Al Hayat daily newspaper underscored the numerous accomplishments by Lebanese women in the various professions to the point where they have become a role model in the Arab countries, while highlighting the heightened tensions within the households resulting from women’s success. Quoting an internal source from the Personal Status Court, the newspaper pointed out to the growing cases of divorce associated with the outstanding professional achievements of women particularly when surpassing that of their husbands. The source went on to say that some of the infidelity cases can clearly be traced to the above situation especially when the husband starts feeling inferior to his partner. For more insight on the subject, Al Hayat interviewed a number of people concerned. Fadi for example, stated that his wife’s behavior towards him changed after her promotion to the position of director of a branch of a well-known bank as she started to earn twice his salary. He added that: “eventually I could not put up with the new situation and decided to leave home and file for divorce,” while at the same time acknowledging his narrow-mindedness. “As her financial contribution to household expenditures increased, as well as her extra household commitments,” he went on to say, “I found myself more and more unable to cope with the situation.” In conclusion, Al Hayat recommended that couples in similar situation should seek psychological assistance quoting therapist Nadia Samaha who said that a stable marital relationship depends on being able to deal with the success of married women. (Al Hayat, February 11, 2016)

 

In coordination with UNESCO Regional Director in Beirut, Hamad Humami, MP Bahiya Hariri launched the first anniversary of the Outreach and Leadership Academy (OLA) which is the result of a partnership between the Lebanese American University (LAU) and the Hariri Foundation. The event was hosted at the historic building of Aisha Um Al Moo2mineen School in the Old Saida neighborhood, and brought together a number of artisans and merchants, in addition to young beneficiaries who completed a series of training workshops organized last year by the Academy. The event also witnessed the inauguration of the ‘entrepreneurship incubator’ which was set up in cooperation with UNESCO and funded by the Finnish government. On the occasion, Hariri underlined the main purpose behind establishing OLA center which is to contribute to educational justice in Lebanon through the extension of opportunities and the development of students’ capacities. “Everyone is gifted but needs orientation to express and enhance his/her talents,” Hariri noted. She said that the problem lies in the nature of the public educational system and that the Academy seeks to intensify training courses to counter the educational injustice. 

(Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, February 11, 2016)

 

The president of the Federation of Lebanese Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, president of Beirut and Mount Lebanon Chamber, Mohammad Shucair, signed last Monday a memorandum of cooperation with the President of the Syndicate for Owners of Restaurants, Cafes and Night Clubs, Toni Rami, aimed at training personnel in the hospitality sector. The purpose of the training which will take place at the Federation’s food safety center is to rehabilitate workers on using up to date methods that ensure the health and safety of Lebanese consumers. The training will be implemented as part of a series of workshops that will be conducted by specialized training companies. The sessions to be held during the current year and will be free for the first level. 

In the same vein, work is underway at the Lebanese University to establish a fully-equipped and specialised center for food and water quality and safety as a result of cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health. The quality center is expected to become a national and officially accredited reference for relevant testing and analysis and will lead to the transformation of the role of the University from a consuming institution to a primary partner in community and productive services. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, February 9, 2016)

 

The United National Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) issued last week a number of recommendations on ways for extending social protection to agricultural communities in Lebanon. This step followed the organisation of a workshop entitled ‘Support of social protection policies for rural and agricultural communities’ which was sponsored by Minister Akram Shehayeb and which addressed two key issues, notably: the significance of social protection in enhancing the living standards of farmers, present legislations and draft laws proposals aiming to develop social conditions in rural areas. Participants during the workshop also discussed the roles of farmers’ solidarity funds, agricultural cooperatives and trade unions, in securing social protection and came out with the following recommendations:

-         Harmonize all data produced by the ministry of agriculture in order to achieve an integrated classification of farmers so as to allow them access to existing social, agricultural and health services.

-         Conduct feasibility studies on ways of providing social protection coverage for farmers through the Social Security Fund and mutual cooperative funds

-         Provide social protection for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged farmers in rural areas, in collaboration with the ministries of agriculture and social affairs, and in the framework of the World Bank supported ‘poverty project’

-         Develop benchmarks and guidelines of decent work, safety and health for agriculture, in coordination with the above ministries and the ILO .(Al Diyar, February 6, 2016)

 

Jbail mayor, Ziad Hawat, announced the imminent start of a USD10 million worth eco-touristic project that links in its first phase the historic city with the Bentael Nature Reserve and with Saint Charbel in Annaya in its second phase. Hawat revealed that while the first stage includes building a 6-km walking and biking trail stretching from the beach up to Bentael, the project in its second stage involves the construction of an eco-friendly aerial cableway from the city to the  Monastery. The cableway line is expected to pass through the river beds all the way to Saint Charbel in the mountainous town of Annaya. Outlining its economic feasibility of the project, Jbail mayor pointed out that the project has many positive aspects namely: capitalization on the panoramic sceneries and beautiful landscapes of the city and surroundings; setting up a station at the Bentael Reserve to promote rural and eco-tourism in the area; a lower rate of pollution as a result of lower toxic emissions by cars visiting St Charbel; and the promotion of religious tourism. The mayor stated that the area receives every year some five million visitors by car of who some one million visitors will be redirected towards using the aerial cableway so as to lower the present pollution level. (Al Diyar, February 6, 2016)

 

A joint survey conducted by Bayt.Com and YouGov cautioned against the high rates of unemployment among the youth in the Middle East and North Africa, showing that nearly one third of college graduates (29%) are jobless, including 43% female graduates and 59% fresh graduates (between 18 and 24 years of age). The study was carried out in collaboration with ‘Injaz Al Arab’ non-profit youth education organization which is the regional bureau of the international ‘Junior Achievement’ foundation. The outcomes of the poll indicated that while the overwhelming majority of young people leave college unprepared for employment, it also revealed that around 80% of fresh graduates covered by the questionnaire maintained that the educational institutions did not orient them towards adequate employment choices. The survey unveiled that very specific industry sectors in the region attracted young people. It pointed out that about two thirds of respondents lacked sufficient knowledge to contemplate a job in the hospitality, aviation or media industries, as less than half of those believe these sectors extend good opportunities only to enhance the career life. When making a decision about a job, the results have shown that salaries (59%) and long-term career prospects (46%) constitute the two major factors influencing students/graduates' decisions. Furthermore, the poll indicated that salaries are more important to men (61%) than to women (54%) and finally underscored the need for an awareness campaign to help the youth improve their perceptions/and expectations to adjust with reality on the ground. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, February 8, 2016)

 

In collaboration with the Lebanese Training Center, the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Saida and the South organized last Friday a training workshop on food safety targeting a number of owners of food establishments, as well as representatives of concerned associations and community organizations. Experts in food and health care presented methods of prevention that should be adopted to ensure food safety and therefore protect the health of consumers.  In a related context, the Saint Orthodox School in Nabatiyeh held a seminar on agriculture and food safety in the presence of the director general of the government-run Department for Scientific and Agricultural Research. Dr Michel Freim highlighted the factors influencing food security and spelled out the challenges facing the agricultural sector in the country, pointing to the role of the state in creation of the appropriate climate for its advancement. During the seminar Freim announced the opening soon of an agricultural and scientific research center in that major southern city. (Al Diyar, Febraury 6, 2016)

 

The president of the Lebanese Business Women association, Laila Salhab, announced during a press conference last Saturday the birth of the Arab Union for Productive Households and Traditional and Artisan Industries. Present at the event were Tufic Dabbussi, Chair of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Tripoli and the North, Ghassan Azar, representing Elias Aoun, President of Editors Syndicate, in addition to members of the constituent body and press people. (Al Mustaqbal, February 7, 2016)