News

The Labor Minister Sajaan Azzi disclosed in a lecture at the Lebanese American University (LAU) yesterday that some 1.8 million out of a total 4 million population work, 64% of which are males and 36% females. In his talk, ‘Labor Market Challenges in Lebanon’, Azzi pointed out that the Lebanese Government which has forsaken the productive economy for many years now constitutes the biggest obstacle for the domestic labor force. “All the undertakings that have been implemented in the nineties of the last Century did not create employment prospects, rather money, corruption, brokerage businesses and urban constructions for non-Lebanese nationals,” he said. On the other hand, the minister criticized the arrogance of the Lebanese people who do not settle for less than higher class professions, turning down the ordinary jobs that are mostly needed by the community.

Talking figures, Azzi noted that of the total Lebanese workforce, the finance and insurance sectors make nearly 39%; industry, 12%; trade, 27%; construction sector, 9%; communications, 7% and, finally, agriculture accommodates for the least percentage, 6%, of the human resources. This means, Azzi said, the productive sectors provide for the least workforce.  “The young generation are mainly inclined to follow up higher university studies with  disregard to vocational education,” the minister said, warning this “can pose a big threat to the nation”. The unforgivable  crime committed by the government since the nineties, Azzi went on to say, is legitimizing unaccredited higher education institutions that generate unwanted graduates”. (Al Diyar, An Nahar, October 27, 2015)

 

The Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh stressed that activity in the field of social responsibility is not only beneficial to society but also improves the added value of corporations. Salameh was speaking during the opening of the 5th Annual Corporate Social Responsibility Forum organized at the Phoenicia Hotel by CSR Lebanon under the headline, ‘How Sustainability Enhances Brand Value and Reputation’ which was attended by over 700 participants from various business, banking, social, civil society and university sectors in Lebanon and the Arab World. Salameh confirmed the Central Bank’s commitment to the concept in the past few years and its launching of a number of initiatives, mainly in the domains of education, housing and environment, pointing to the Central Bank’s direct contribution to the establishment of an advanced university in the capital Beirut, besides the issuance of circulars that allocate soft college loans, which to date amounted to nearly 50 thousand. 

For his part, CSR Lebanon’s President, Khaled Kassar, indicated that the assessment of shares of companies in global markets is no longer solely based on its assets and financial outcomes, but also on the reports and outcomes of its regular annual social and environmental data. Likewise, Saad Azhar, Chair of BLOM Bank, said the banking sector’s support to humanitarian, cultural and educational undertakings in the framework of its social responsibility’s core work, enhances the value of the corporate brand and contributes to improving the reputation and to increasing the sales of companies and their access to markets. (As Safir, An Nahar, Al Akhbar, Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, October 27, 2015)

 

The Future Movement’s Women Sector in the West Bekaa and Rashaya, in cooperation with SAWA for Development and Aid Association, Hayya Bina Initiative and the Rassemblement Democratique des Femmes Libanaises, organized yesterday a seminar on the ‘Lebanese woman and nationality’ to promote awareness for their rights, namely their right to grant nationality to their children.  Stressing the legal aspect, Roula Zaaiter from RDFL, explained  the rationale behind the Convention on the Elimination of All Form of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Lebanon’s reservations on specific articles related to nationality and personal status law. 

In the same vein, the Future Women Sector- Beirut Coordination Committee held yesterday a talk on the ‘role of women in political life’ at the Movement’s premises in Ashrafieh. The Future Bloc member, MP Serge Sarkissian, noted that the presence of women in the Parliament is “inadequate so as to partake in decision making”, adding that it is “possible to replace the women’s quota with another formula that ensures more effective participation”. He urged women to engage in political work bravely and confidently in order to strengthen their presence and participation in the national political decision making.” Meanwhile, Nadine Jaroudi, coordinator of Beirut Future Women Sector, said Lebanese women have proved the usefulness of their contribution to all areas of work, yet and despite all impeding obstacles, they are still seeking to achieve greater success through their participation in political and partisan activity.” (Al Mustaqbal, October 27, 2015)

 

In its feature last Saturday on the citrus cultivation in south Lebanon, As Safir daily said the orchards are being confined to three plains, Adloun, Damour and Mansouri. The main refrigerating storehouses, Safa and Zaatari in Sinik area, which used to export year round and employ a fair percentage of workforce, have closed down because of the high transportation costs that limited their ability to compete. The newspaper pointed out that the notable families in the business who own most of the southern coastal citrus plantations, are from Saida and Damour. However, the majority of them have chosen to sell their land, and those who emigrated and returned to their hometown opted to purchase and invest in real estate. For more insight on the issue, As Safir spoke to one farmer, Rida Nahle, who complained that his 30-dunum farm barely yields now $20 thousand a year, noting that he can sell it for not less than a $3 million. “The Lebanese market cannot accommodate more than 20-30% of the local production, and without exporting, the market is saturated with bananas and citrus fruits,” he grieved. (As Safir, October 24, 2015)

 

Al Mustaqbal newspaper indicated in its issue last Saturday that climate change has badly impacted the various agricultural seasons in Akkar, the North, and the most affected were the olive plantations. Jaber Nasr, one of the area’s big olive farmers, noted a remarkable fall in the produce this year, while the demand on the crop, he said, remained within the acceptable range. He pointed out that the “halt of olive import from neighboring countries and the control of olive oil smuggling from Syria would boost the prices and the sales of this kind of agriculture.” Nasr said he expected the retail price of one kilogram of green olives to stand between L.L 3000 and 3500, and the 20-liter olive oil container to exceed 200 thousand Lebanese pounds this year.

Meanwhile, the Daily Star reflected a more resilient atmosphere coming from the southern plains of Deir Mimas, Kafraya, Kfarkila and Marjeyoun. Um Jalal Kadoura, from Kafraya, told the newspaper that this year’s produce is “good and promising, and so is the rate of demand.” The Daily Star highlighted the supportive role of local and international non-government organizations in the south, particularly for the olive industry, through the provision of financial and extension assistance, including the proper funds to buy olive press machines and the required pesticides. (Al Mustaqbal, Daily Star, October 24, 2015)

 

MP Bahia Hariri said that the Arab woman presently faces the challenge of restoring the unity to families, supporting the national and social backbone of communities and promoting stability as the catalyst for progress, change or influence of a nation. Hariri was speaking yesterday during the opening of the fifth Arab Conference yesterday at Holiday Inn hotel organized jointly by the ‘Makers of Change, Development and Advancement’ and the ‘Center for Innovative Thought for Development’.  For her part, the head of the Conference’s Preparatory Committee, Dr. Adab Saoud, pointed out to the purpose of the meeting which is to highlight the role of the Arab woman in positively changing their societies. Likewise, the Makers of Change CEO, Dr. Mohamed Khalifeh, hailed the important role of government and private institutions in promoting, empowering and strengthening the role of women through a package of programs and activities. (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, October 23, 2015) 

 

 The Head of the Lebanese Hotel Owners’ Association, Pierre Ashkar, warned of the drastic losses in tourism this year according to the latest figures coming from the sector. Ashkar was speaking during a press conference last Tuesday attended by a crowd of hospitality institutions with the banner ‘Political chaos and street turmoil made us suffer’. In his opening address to Lebanese politicians, Ashkar said, “We had enough of your reckless attitude towards institutions and the youth… tourism is in danger.” He pointed to the accrued and diversified losses in the industry, primarily the loss of the summer season and the meagre investments, which would have been worse and devastating“had it not been for the innovative, unwavering and ambitious endeavors of the young generation.” On the other hand, and referring to the ongoing anti-corruption protests, Ashkar expressed his regret  about the riots and sabotage actions that were centering in the downtown Beirut area. In the same vein, the Head of the Travel and Tourism Agencies in Lebanon, Jean Abboud, grieved the tourism incoming activity which was almost non-existent this year, noting that the hotel and car rental industries were the most affected, followed by the Centre Ville commercial district.

For his part, and notwithstanding the gloomy situation of tourism in the county, Minister, Michel Farouan was cautiously optimistic, saying he expected “various investment projects to take place that could put an end to the continuing unpleasant political situation.” He pointed to the relatively positive index in the tourism sector, particularly in rural tourism during last August, however, he did not down play the counter effects of the civil society’s goings on especially on the downtown's touristic establishments. (Al Mustaqbal, An Nahar, Al Diyar, October 13, 14, 20, 2015)

 

The Hospitality Services CEO Jumana Damous Salameh announced the launching of the fifth edition of the Beirut Cooking Festival and the Salon Du Chocolat at Biel Complex between November 12 and 14. The projected event will include a series of cooking activities and workshops with a number of culinary professionals, etiquette experts and wine and spirits connoisseurs. “Amidst the difficult situation in our region, we are pleased to unite people around a common craving, which is our passion for food and our love for our land,” Salameh boasted, hailing the growing success of the festivities over the past years. (Al Mustaqbal, October 19, 2015) 

 

The Lebanese Women Democratic Gathering  in collaboration with Ufuk Akkar Association held last Thursday at Halba’s a seminar on women’s quota in the presence of Akkar community leaders at Halba’s municipal library. The event comes as part of the civil mobilization and advocacy for electoral reform program implemented in partnership with a number of organizations, namely: The Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections, Samir Kassir Foundation, the Lebanese Transparency Association, the Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union, Maharat Foundation and the Independent Resources and Information Services IRIS. The RWG head, Iman Sayyid, opened the meeting noting the importance of the role of women and the need to strengthen it in all aspects of public life to the end of the advancement of society as a whole. For her part, Nariman Shamaa, coordinator of the above electoral reform program in the North, underlined the need to promote women’s political participation through the ‘quota’ system. The main parts of the meeting focused on defining quota, its patterns and the rationale of its adoption, shedding light on women’s present participation in public affairs and identifying the obstacles while drawing appropriate solutions to this issue. (L’Orient Le Jour, October 21, 2015)

 

The Lebanese Businesspeople Association headed by Fouad Mkahal signed yesterday an agreement of partnership with the Lebanese League for Women in Business led by Asmahan Zein to promote cooperation between the two parties in the presence of a crowd of concerned figures. The partnership plans to hold regular meetings, conferences or seminars on present-day issues, in addition to organizing training workshops for entrepreneurs and business owners. These aim to facilitate the exchange of expertise and information; develop projects for restructuring the private and public sectors; open up new markets for the export of made-in-Lebanon goods and skills and finally, propose draft legislations mostly needed by the private sector. On this occasion, Mkahal stressed the vital role of women entrepreneur in the growth of domestic economy. Similarly, Zein called for increasing the number of working women in Lebanon and providing them with opportunities for progress and promotion at work. (Al Mustaqbal, Al Diyar, October 22, 2015