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Azzi now is blaming MWDWs countries for human trafficking!

10-12-2015

Following the US State Department’s report that classified Lebanon among the worst countries with an alarming number of victims of human trafficking, and after denying any such exploitation (refer to: http://bit.ly/1mcoOnY.) the Labor Minister Sajaan Azzi blamed foreign governments whose nationals work in domestic service in Lebanon for the growing human black market, stating that some of these countries never replied to his suggestions on ways to resolving the problem. Azzi appealed to countries banning the travel of their nationals to lift the ban and sign the relevant protocols regulating the work of their MWDWs. Azzi who was speaking in a press conference after meeting with consuls of the concerned countries, namely Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, the Philippine, Bangladesh, Madagascar, Indonesia and Vietnam solemnly declared: “Our struggle for human rights and our fight against human trafficking is a common cause. It is the struggle of the state, the nation, the media and everyone and it is a protest over the outdated labor law, as much as it is a dispute between the embassies and their governments who sometimes allow and sometimes ban the work of their nationals in Lebanon, he said, adding that this makes these workers potential victims of the violation of their rights.” The result of such reluctance by some governments encourages the creation of a black market between cross-border mafias active in the country of origin and in Lebanon, Azzi explained. He refuted accusations against the Lebanese Government, the Ministry of Labor and Lebanese household employers of violations of human rights. “We as a ministry have taken all precautionary measures and have issued some16 directives to safeguard the rights and dignity of women workers in the domestic service,” Azzi noted. He disclosed that since the beginning of 2016, some 24,774 Ethiopian nationals and 4069 from the Philippines have entered the country illegally. (Al Diyar, An Nahar, Al Mustaqbal, December 10, 2015)
 

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Outstanding achievements of Lebanese women abroad

10-12-2015

The lecturer at Balamand University, Dr. Mirvat Huz, won the prize of excellence for scientific research among laureates from 60 countries who submitted some 250 studies at the Fifth International Conference on Solid Waste last November in Bangalore, India. Dr. Huz won the first prize for her research entitled: ‘A feasibility study on a potential site for the management of unwanted solid waste’, that she submitted with the contribution of Dr. Amal I’ali, noting that this is the second time both researchers win such prize in three consecutive years!.
In a related development, another Lebanese national Nadine Kamal Omeysh scored yet another success for completing her Doctorate in dental surgery and implant from the University of Garanciere 7 in Paris, thus topping the list of honor students with a similar record. Omeysh received full honors from the dean and faculty of the school of dentistry as well as a grant from the presidency of the university in the form of full medical equipment and supplies for the clinic she plans to open in Beirut. (Al Mustaqbal, December 10, 2015)
 

 

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Food industry in the South faces export challenges despite enjoying international standrads

10-12-2015

In its issue of yesterday, As Safir daily interviewed a number of owners of food factories in the South to shed light on this promising industry, which despite significant challenges has demonstrated excellence in the sector. Kamel Badawi Bsat factories manager, Osama Bsat, disclosed that similarly to other made-in-Lebanon products, the manufacturing of local “ta7hini” and “7halaweh” is faced with rising cost of production, labor, fuel, difficulty in securing raw material from abroad, and in getting the necessary custom clearances. As for his factory which is located in Gazieh, on the outskirts of Saida, Bsat maintained that it gained in reputation with the growing demand for its products, noting that his company has opened branches in many areas across Lebanon and is also exporting to various countries of the world. Another business owner, Othman Shama, a co-founder of Milco Company for dairy products, located east of Zahrani along the Southern Lebanon road, grieved the absence of export channels for marketing Lebanese products, despite their exceptional quality. He urged concerned government authorities to “facilitate the entry of the Lebanese products into global markets”. For her part, the administrative officer at Ringo (producer and exporter) of potato chips, Luma Ghaddar, criticized the unfavorable terms of various free trade agreements that Lebanon signed with many countries, which facilitated the imports of foreign potato chips, particularly from Saudi Arabia, and that are exempted from custom fees. (As Safir, December 9, 2015)
 

 

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Mada seminar in Hrar-Akkar on conservation agriculture

9-12-2015

As part of the EU-funded ‘Improvement of the Living Standards of Small Farmers of Akkar’ project, Mada Association and Hrar Agricultural Center organized an extension seminar last week on conservation agriculture of apple orchards in the presence of a number of concerned farmers. Taha Mustafa, head of Hrar Center, the praised the high level of receptiveness of apple growers to similar seminars which are held by the Center adding that the latter receives many calls every day from people seeking help and information on how to tackle problems in farming. Mustafa disclosed that the total area of apple orchards is estimated at 9000 dunums and the number of farmers at 800 individual farmers. For his part, Agriculture Engineer, Nidal Meri’bi, underscored the significance of adopting new farming conservation techniques and that is for maintaining natural resources and reducing the plowing intensity in order to sustain the soil’s organic nutrients and to cut down on the cost of production. He demonstrated with the aid of examples new techniques of planting some 2 kgs of cereals and grains on a 1000 meter stretch of cultivated land by using the vegetation cover to maintain the soil’s moisture. (Al Diyar, December 9, 2015)
 

 

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Seminar in Zahleh on the prospects of organic farming

9-12-2015

In collaboration with TUV Hellas Company, the Investment Development Authority of Lebanon (IDAL) organized yesterday a symposium on ‘Organic Agriculture’ at the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for Zahleh in the presence of a number of farmers and agricultural exporters. IDAL president, Nabil Itani, confirmed the upsurge in export activity after the launch of the new maritime road, pointing that “organic agriculture has become a high priority for numerous reasons, most importantly is the fact that it reduces dependency on the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.” This, Itani added, has a “positive impact on the safety of food and the health of people and the environment, as well as on all forms of life.” Nowadays, Itani went on to say: “Organic products have become an important economic element for many countries of the world, particularly amidst the increasing demand by customers for such brands”, concluding that such organic products have become a focus for strategic competition particularly since they enjoy a big profit margin. For his part, TUV Hellas General Manager, George Abi Haidar, reiterated the eco-friendly aspects of organic agriculture, and called for more awareness among producers on the importance of this new trend in national agriculture.
Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, December 9, 2015
 

 

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Lebanon industry first winner in Abidjan

9-12-2015

Lebanon won the first prize at the Africa Industries Fair held on the first of December in Cote D’Ivoire, Abidjan. The prize went to SIMA industrial company and was presented to Ali Atef Yassin, manager, from Nabatiyeh, in the presence of various local ministers, factory owners, experts, economists and industrials from around the globe. (Al Diyar, An Nahar, December 9, 2015)
 

 

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MWDW messages to the authorities for alleviating their plight

9-12-2015

For the third consecutive year, the US State Department Trafficking in Persons report classified Lebanon among the worst countries with an alarming number of victims of human trafficking, while noting that Lebanon is a signatory since 2011 of the Act on the Punishment of Human Trafficking Crimes, a subject discussed last Friday, during the Second Regional Dialogue entitled "Moving Forward in Innovating Ways to Combat Human Trafficking and he Exploitation of Migrant Workers in the Middle East and North Africa," that was organized jointly by the Ministry of Justice and the International Organization for Migration. It also should be noted that the US report classifies countries based on the extent of their compliance with minimum standards of elimination of human trafficking.
In a related development, and following on the Ain Najem crime and disappointing negative reaction to it by the Labor Minister (http://bit.ly/1M2sm0I), a number of migrant women domestic workers and concerned activists, in collaboration with Kafa, forwarded three messages to selected public institutions demanding the adoption of a number of modest measures in order to improve the living situation of MWDWs in the country. A fourth message will be dispatched later to Minister Azzi carrying a special request to recognize the newly formed MWDW trade union. The first message of the three messages was sent to the General Director of the General Security asking for a grace period upon the termination of their contracts and the right for domestic workers to change their employers. The second one was addressed to Reymond Bashur, head of the National Notary Council demanding the provision of a unified work contract in the language of the domestic worker, noting that generally the contract signed by the worker in her country of origin is different from the one she signs in Lebanon. The third and last message was addressed to the Director General of the Security Forces, requesting serious investigation into workers’ death (and suicide) cases. (Al-Akhbar 9 Dec, L’Orient le Jour 5 Dec, 2015)
 

 

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New pioneers of the Lebanese food industry

8-12-2015

In its issue of December 4, Al Akhbar daily newspaper highlighted the successes achieved by young men and women entrepreneurs in the promising food sector that recorded in 2014 high business results despite the harsh prevailing economic conditions. The newspaper added that the total value of this economic sector is now estimated at USD520 million, while shedding the light on a selection of new pioneering food establishment namely:
-         House of Zejd is located in Ashrafieh and owned by Yussef Fares. The company sells aside from olive oil, some 80 other products and was successful in developing good trade relations in international markets.
-         No Garlic No Onion catering portal was founded by Anthony Rahayel for promoting various traditional foods recipes in order to revive traditional rural products that do not find their way easily to local market.
-         Bibayti.com: is a novel concept applied for the first time in Lebanon and launched one month ago. The project aims to promote local professional chefs. Through browsing the website, customers can choose a particular chef and request his/her catering service in the customer’s house. The selected chef will take full charge of all procurements and tools needed for preparing the desired recipe. 
-         Atayeb el Reef is a marketing cooperative aimed at creating opportunities for women in rural areas where they can secure an income that sustains their households. The cooperative connects farmers and customers of chemical free food items. The cooperative maintain business relation with some 42 women-run coops across the country; it was kicked off with the help of USAID and the YWCA but is now fully independent business that has started exporting to the US and the Emirates. 
(Akhbar, December 4, 2015)
 

 

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Training workshop for women entrepreneurs on ‘how to prepare a plan of action’

8-12-2015

As part of its monthly ‘Join & Grow’ event, the Lebanese Businesswomen Association announced start of registration for women members wishing to participate in the Vital Voices Grow Fellowship program for 2016-2017, aimed at enhancing the capacities of women entrepreneurs in various fields. The program includes the organisation of a training workshop for developing leadership capacities, the provision of technical assistance and prospects for communication and knowledge exchange. It should be noted, that the training session entitled ‘how to prepare your plan of action’ will be implemented in collaboration with BLC Bank. The course will begin on the 9th of January, 2016 at the Bank’s Educational Center located in Ashrafieh. (An Nahar, December 8, 2015)
 

 

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Starting 11th December a craft market in Beirut CD

8-12-2015

As part of a new initiative to revive traditional crafts, the Beirut’s central district is hosting as of Friday, December 11 some 30 artisans and designers will be displaying in the “Saifi Village” quarter every day from 4 to 9 pm. The project which is supported by Solidere aims at promoting the national craft heritage through the revival and familiarization of traditional skills and craftsmanship, including the production of the folkloric oud musical instrument, textile trade, manual pottery, cigar, wood carving and tools design. Visitors will be able to partake with the help of artisans in the making of crafts objects, such as the building of wooden boats and design their own artistic product from the wide collection of displayed fabrics, among other artifacts. The market will be open for the public over two weeks on December 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20. (Al Diyar, December 5, 2015)
 

 

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