News

The Labor Minister Sajaan Azzi headed yesterday a meeting for the national steering committee following up the conditions of migrant domestic workers in Lebanon in the presence of representatives from official departments concerned, the International Labor Organization and civil society organizations. Azzi pointed out to his Ministry’s efforts to improve conditions of those workers and combat human trafficking or child labor which he alleged was acclaimed both inside and outside Lebanon. In the same vein, Azzi welcomed the recent establishment of Protecting Lebanese Family Association urging it to coordinate with other groups defending the rights of  MWDWs whom he described as ‘maids’ (for full news please refer to the previous news: Welcome to the “Association of Women Against Migrant Women Domestic Workers”). The Labor Minister said he was surprised that the 24/24 hotline the Ministry launched to receive complaints from MWDWs did not get any calls so far. At the end of the meeting, the ILO was asked to submit a proposal on a new labor recruitment system that will replace the ‘Kafala’ sponsorship system. Azzi revealed that he has sent earlier similar requests to civil society associations without obtaining any reply. Finally, participants in the meeting agreed to impose strict conditions to ensure decent working environment before the issuance of new work permits for foreign workers. (Al Mustaqbal, 30 July 2015)

The recently published results of success rates for first achievers in Lebanon Baccalaureate (Grade 12) official exams in its four branches showed that a significant proportion of the highest achievers were females who were interviewed by As Safir newspaper. Sara Souki, first in social studies/economics SE, scoring 480 points out of 530, and who chose to major in international law outside Lebanon, said that while she relied on herself yet a big credit goes to her school “Amjad” which supported her with all means possible. Zainab Hadi from the same school came first in general sciences scoring 536 out of 570 points, and chose to major in mechanical engineering. Razan Amin also from Amjad, came second in SE, with 471 out of 530 points, said she is still hesitating between international economics or architecture. Abir Jallool, another high achiever, third in SE, with 464 out of 530 points, and future major in economics, pointed out that the key to success is confidence in oneself.  Marwa Meshayk, from the same school, came 4th in SE, scoring 460 out of 530 points, said she will study medicine as it is a noble profession. Like Jallool and Meshayk, Yasmine Abu Hamdan, also from School, came 8th in SE, scoring 447 out of 530 points, said she will major in economics. For her part, Ghada Yussef from Qobayyat Public School for Girls in Akkar was second in humanities and literature, scoring 369 out of 480 points, and received a scholarship from the Ministry to study film direction. Finally, the newspaper highlighted the case of Aseel Jaafar from Tyre High School for Girls, who came third in life sciences. Jaafar said she plans to specialize in medicine, oncology at the Lebanese University, which she described as the last resort for distinguished students coming from low-income background. (As Safir, 25 July 2015)

Wheat farming in the Beqaa recorded an acute drop in production this year in the wake of the frost storms that hit the area early last May. In normal conditions, yearly wheat growing in the Beqaa stands at nearly 95 thousand acres of land with a production level varying between 60 to 70 thousand tons per year. However, production this season is not expected to exceed 30% of normal harvest i.e. only 25 thousand tons. Normally, the overall production of wheat in the Baalbek-Hermel, the rest of the Beqaa, Akkar and Marjeyoon barely covers 10% of the domestic market demand estimated at 440 thousand tons every year, with domestic consumption relying largely on import from Russia, Australia and the United States. Wheat farmers two days ago carried out visits Beqaa MPs to mobilize their support in requesting the minister of economy to speed up the collection and financial settlement of this year wheat harvest. They urged Prime Minister Salam to raise that issue during the forthcoming cabinet meeting and as well as issues of fair prices and compensations to farmers for losses. It is also to be noted that about 40% of people in the Beqaa depend for livelihoods on agriculture. According to the head of whet farmers union, Khaled Shuman, there exist also other problems confronting farmers, among which is the issue of categorization of production according to quality standards, and their inability to cover the cost of storage. As a result of the latter factor farmers are often forced to leave a large part of their harvest in the fields at the risk of being spoiled or burned. (Al Diyar, As Safir, 28 & 29 July 2015)

Women leaders play an important role in Lebanon and the Arab world, but experts at “Women Leaders as Agents of Change: The Role of Women in the Changes Taking Place in the MENA Region” conference which kicked off on Monday July 27th warned that regional turmoil has interrupted the push for greater political participation and stymied efforts to improve women’s situation. The Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World at the Lebanese American University organized the event in partnership with the Middle East Partnership Initiative of the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs at the U.S. State Department. The conference, which will run through July 30, brings together scholars, researchers and activists from different countries and areas of expertise to share their research and experiences. The conference is tackling a number of issues, including legal, political, and cultural reforms stemming from the Arab uprisings, according to the agenda presented by the organizers. Conferees will also investigate various measures to protect women’s rights and improve their situation. Tuesday’s panel discussions were entitled: “Human Rights Concerns and Violations in the Arab Region,” “Women’s Political Participation & Activism During and After the Arab Uprisings/Revolutions,” and “Changes Impacting Women in the Arab Region.” A variety of other panel discussions are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. (The Daily Star, 28 July 2015)

The National Saudi Campaign to Support Brethren in Syria” launched within the framework of “Brother, you hold your future in your hand” program, a new initiative entitled “The Productive Training Kitchen”. The initiative targets young Syrian woman aged between 17 and 25 years and seeks to train them to produce various types of food, sweets and pickles with the aim of helping them find work opportunities which would allow them to secure income for them and their families. The director of the national Saudi Campaign office in Lebanon, Waleed Ben Ali Al Jallal, told Al Mustaqbal newspaper that the campaign has decided to add cooking skills to its various technical and handicrafts training currently on offer and which include mechanics, sewing and graphic design. He added that the first batch of students have started producing food and have benefited from the material made available by the Productive Training Kitchen.  As such, they are cooking daily meals for needy Syrian families as well as for the trainees’ families. (Al Mustaqbal, 28 July 2016)

The Makassed University in Beirut organized a commencement event for graduates from its nursing, health sciences and Islamic studies programs. The event was attended by the representative of the Mufti of the Republic, Sheikh Amin el Kurdi, as well as the Mufti for Zahleh and the Bekaa, Sheikh Khalil el Meiss. The president of the Makassed Association, Amin al Daouk, referred to a quote by the Mufti of the Republic who had said earlier that there is a serious need to revise higher Islamic studies as well as Islamic education in schools.  He hoped that such a process will be successful as Lebanon is in dire need of a reformist mentality to counter extremism and fundamentalism.  For his part Daouk hoped that the infrastructure of the administration of higher education will be put in place so that it can undertake the much needed quality control as well as oversee the necessary certification. Daouk further added that institutions need to step in line with the global trends of the job market and the quality requirements in higher education both in scientific and humanities divisions. The event was concluded by the distribution of certificates followed by nursing and health students reciting their professional oath. (Al Mustaqbal, 28 July 2015)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned Lebanon of the imminent dangers threatening its economy, social fabric, financial sustainability and public debt should conditions continue to deteriorate. In a report published, the IMF stated that the decline in oil prices has caused a temporary relief in Lebanon’s public finance, noting that while the interdependence between the State and the banking sector has normally been a source of strength, the economy however remains highly dependent on the continuous inflow of deposits and thus sensitive to any weakening in confidence. The report indicated that while the growth of deposits has retreated during the past few years, the level continues at a good average of between 7 and 8%, thus enabling the country to cover general as well as foreign funding needs while preserving the high rate of foreign currency reserve. The report also highlighted two priority areas: the first, is the passing of the 2015 general budget, and second is addressing the problem of the electricity sector. The IMF report anticipated that the privatization of the Beirut Stock Exchange might very well help in expanding financial markets by way of encouraging young companies to enter the shares market. Furthermore, the IMF report noted that structural reforms remain vital to enhance economic growth potentials in Lebanon, stressing the need to tackle various pressing legislative files in order to attract investments. These include the passing of the special oil tax law, various other legislations related to oil and gas exploration, the framework law related to partnership between private and public sectors. (Al Mustaqbal, 21 July 2015)

L’Orient Le Jour daily published in its July 21 issue an interview with Ms. Rima Frangieh, wife of Al Marada Party leader Suleiman Frangieh to profile the latest in cultural and social events taking place in the north. Frangieh spoke of her efforts to strengthen social bonds with her community especially that she is the spouse of the local “chief” of the community, the newspaper said. Frangieh also introduced the work of several institutions which she manages, like for example “North Autism Center” which she founded and chairs, as well as “Hirafiyat” workshop and Ehdeniyat festivals, as well as various environmental activities. Frangieh focused on the Ehdeniyat annual festivities which not only is intended to revive the cultural scene in the region by bringing Arab and foreign stars, but also to generate funds for supporting the work of the social centers which she runs. (L’Orient Le Jour, 21 July 2015)

The seventh annual fair showcasing the projects of engineering students in the north echoed the unfavorable labor market situation in Lebanon thus calling for urgent actions to shift higher education to alternative specialties that could have better prospects for employment. The yearly exhibition was organized by the Order of Engineers and Architects in Tripoli under the patronage of the Minister of Labor, Sajaan Azzi. Azzi noted the presence of some 47 thousand engineers in the country with only some 8 thousand of those actually employed within Lebanon and much outside the country. Azzi estimated that some 35 thousand engineers are fully or partially unemployed, adding that the same applies to lawyers, physicians and pharmacists. Finally the Labor Minister called for an end to the present situation where unemployment levels among university youth graduates are ranging high between 25% and 36%. (As Safir, 27 July 2015)