News

A roundtable was held yesterday at the Grand Serail in Beirut within the framework of the weekly “Rendez-Vous at the Serail” organized by PM’s wife Ms. Lama Salam. The Minister of Economy and Trade, Mr. Alain Hakim, attended the event and spoke about the findings of the latest IMF report regarding the importance of women’s role in labor and in the economy.  He called for the participation of women in the economy and for their empowerment so that they are able to play this role.  He added that his Ministry is seeking to set up and modernise businesswomen councils in addition to nominating women to vacant posts at the Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture.
Former Minister Wafa Dika Hamze spoke about the social and cultural obstacles to women’s economic participation namely in terms of the impact of the family as well as the educational system which reinforce women’s traditional roles as well as poorly conducive laws and administrative procedures. The General Director of the Central Administration of Statistics, Maral Tutelian presented the general indicators related to women’s educational achievements and their participation in economic activity and in the job market.  She added that the percentage of women’s participation in the labor force does not exceed 27% against 73% for men.  Women are also quasi absent as employers and take up only 18% of leadership posts. For her part, Maha Yehya, the researcher at the Carnegie centre highlighted the seven main gaps which hinder women’s economic participation namely citizenship, accessing capitals, education, job market, health and insurance, dominant cultural system and education.  She concluded by stressing the need to adopt new agendas to achieve better effectiveness and equality and to reform labor laws.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Nahar 25 April 2014

As Safir newspaper published a review report on the Lebanese food industry and its role in the national economy notably in terms of its share of export and the employment opportunities it creates.  The report analysed the various challenges that this sector faces, similarly to the overall industrial sector, namely strong foreign competition in local and external markets, a galloping production cost and the absence of government support.
The report noted that Lebanon exports products worth USD 3.7 billion annually including all kind of manufacturing and non-manufacturing industries.  Of total volume of exports, 40% consists of food products which represent 11.38% of the total export value in USD.  The director of the Syndicate of Lebanese Food Industries, Samir al Mir, noted that despite the fact that these exports witnessed a significant growth since 2011; the sector is still struggling especially given the neglect of all consecutive governments.  To be noted that the sector employs some 30670 workers or 23.3% of the total workforce employed in the industrial sector.  It includes 4456 factories of which 180 are establishments that are registered with the syndicate.  Al Mir praised the decision to decrease export tax by 50% noting that industrialists do not want direct support from the state but are looking for smart protection mechanisms which would drastically reduce their production costs, facilitate the penetration of Lebanese products into the international market and increase its competitiveness, while pointing out to the project to set up the national food council which is still awaiting approval since the idea was conceived.  He also referred to the failed plans to create industrial cities wondering why successive governments have failed to give due consideration to this important matter that will greatly strengthen and develop the industry in all parts of Lebanon.

The president of the Syndicate of Lebanese Food Industries, Georges Nasraoui, detailed the demands which are likely to boost the sector qualitatively and quantitatively namely decreasing production cost and improving infrastructure.  He also highlighted the importance of this sector in terms of its contribution to creating jobs and to fostering innovations in addition to developing agriculture as well as attracting local, regional and international investments.  
Source: Al-Safir 23 April 2014

An Nahar newspaper published an interview with Paul Shukrallah, Berytech’s responsible, who clarified that the institution was created in 2001 with the main aim of curtailing immigration of the youth and limiting brain drain through facilitating the set up of private companies.

Shukrallah noted that memorandum # 331 issued by the Lebanon Central Bank allocates an amount of USD 440 million in support of investments in emerging companies in Lebanon, through funding support provided by  various institutions including Berytech. This memorandum did not specify any set conditions or a definite action plan, and, thus, Berytech continues to work according to its original action plan.  He added that Berytech is supporting innovators in many fields, while aiming to create a favorable environment for innovators to enable them to start their enterprises and for young people to kick off their businesses. Berytech also helps young people in managing businesses, adding that Berytech currently hosts some 70 to 80 companies distributed in various centres within and outside Beirut. Finally, Shukrallah noted that Berytech moved beyond its initial work priority which was defined in 2008 and which focused essentially on ICT initiatives, to included trade and commerce, and that new premises set up in 2012 on Beshara el Khoury Street in Beirut are now totally occupied by new innovative companies.

Source: Al-Nahar 24 April 2014

The National Federation of Trade Unions of Workers and Employees submitted a memorandum to the Minister of Labor, Sejaan Azzi, in which it addresses a number of key areas of concern namely trade union freedoms, the freedom to organize  in the public sector, strengthening the inspection department in the Ministry of Labor, competition with foreign labor, securing a permanent employment status to daily workers and adjusting salaries in addition to the realities of the trade union movement and other issues of concern.

In this memorandum, the National Federation calls for revising the minimum wage which is now insufficient to meet citizens’ basic needs as well as speeding up the salaries’ adjustment process for employees in the private and public sector.  The memorandum highlights the growing gap between salaries and existing services on the one hand and the high cost of living and poverty line on the other due to the sharp drop in purchasing power and which has exceeded 50% as a result of financial and monetary policies followed as well as halting subsidies on essential goods.  The National Federation called for increasing the minimum wage to LBP 1 million and 200 thousand per month and for integrating benefits such as transportation and school subsidies into the salary.

Finally, the memorandum deplored the current situation of the trade union movement in Lebanon because of the political interventions which have affected its autonomy and effectiveness.  As a result, the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers (CGTL) is no longer the sole representative of the interests of workers.

Source: Al-Safir 23 April 2014

Following the serious damages that have affected large agricultural areas of Lebanon notably North, mid and West Beqaa as well as Akkar as a result of the recent wave of frost, the Minister of Agriculture, Akram Chehayeb, convened a meeting in his office yesterday with the members of the committee to follow up in damages in the Beqaa.  The meeting was also attended by MPs Ali Mokdad, Elie Maroni, Jamal Jarrah, and the director general of the Ministry of Agriculture, Louis Lahhud.

During the meeting, Chehayeb declared that the Ministry acted immediately and started to prepare a complete and comprehensive file on the damages suffered in all the areas of Lebanon.  He added that the said compensation dossier was submitted to the Cabinet for its perusal during the next upcoming sessions and so as to prepare to a roster of compensation for farmers.  Chehayeb added that, in addition to the compensation dossier, he has also sent requests to many Arab countries seeking their financial assistance.  He also noted that this matter will be on the agenda of the next meeting of the Arab Ministers of Agriculture which will be held soon in Kuwait with a view to discussing the possibility of securing aid in kind to farmers.

Source: http://www.assafir.com/Article/1/347443">Al-Safir, Al-Mustaqbal, Al-Diyar 23 April 2014

Al Mustaqbal newspaper published a report about the difficult realities of the livestock sector in Akkar which is still suffering from serious challenges such as high cost of production and health care, limited markets amidst the absence of any support from state institutions.  In addition, and more recently the sector is suffering from a growing phenomena of stealing livestock and of cross border contraband.

According to Hussein Saleh, a cattle breeder and milk trader for the last forty years, the sector has been bled dry and needs urgent intervention in order to overcome the challenges caused by increased production cost namely through subsidizing animal feed, providing necessary vaccination at no cost and via regular vaccination campaigns.  He noted that there are no government vaccination centers in the area and he called on the latter to give due attention to this vital agricultural resource through protecting livestock and more specifically the indigenous lineage.  Saleh added that despite the fact that milk production in Akkar is estimated at about 30 to 35 thousand ton per year, however, current marketing methods are unfavorable to farmers who are forced to rely on direct traders or on retail middlemen who are able to control prices.

Shafeeq Yaghi, another cattle breeder and milk trader, noted that climatic changes, the reduction of green fields and lack of incentives for planting animal feed all have a negative impact on animal growth and their average fertility.  Ahmad Darweesh from Qab3eet highlighted another problem namely the paucity of dairy production factories in Akkar which force livestock breeders to resort to larger factories which impose prices that are lower than production costs. The report concluded by pointing out to the emergence of a new trend namely the theft of cows and sheep and their smuggling across the border.  According to the sources of the article, this requires a tight security plan to protect people and their livelihoods, and the setting up of serious border controls to halt the smuggling of livestock, milk and dairy products.

Source: Al-Mustaqbal 23 April 2014

The Daily Star published a report yesterday about programmes and activities targeting Syrians displaced to Lebanon with a special focus on the EU-funded Hay al-Sellom Youth Center run by Amel Association. The center offers training classes in various topics including English language, information technology and other.  Thus far, the centre has helped some 5,000 young men and women.  According to Amel's Director, Dr. Kamel Mehanna, the programme will allow beneficiaries to improve their livelihoods as well as contribute to rebuilding Syria once the conflict ends.  He added that the total two year budget of the centre is two million Euros donated by the European Union.
Source: The Daily Star 23 April 2014

The Students Affairs Office at the American University of Beirut is organizing the annual Job Fair-Exhibition 2014, which will be held on the 24th and 25th of April with the participation of some 130 companies from around the world.  The event aims at helping AUB students and alumni in finding employment.

The recruitment director at AUB, Maryam Ghandour, indicated in an interview with the Daily Star that, although the job fair is attracting a relatively large number of companies, many foreign companies declined the invitation for fear of the unstable political situation in the country and indicated their need for assurances that the security situation was improving before they could participate. Ghandour also indicated that this instability is making Lebanese firms hesitant when it comes to recruiting new employees adding that some people are even postponing their projects and start-ups till after the election of the new president.

Ghandour also emphasized the important role of universities in helping students choose majors that best fit their personality, as well as setting tailored programmes that would improve students’ abilities and skills and match the needs of the job market. She also indicated that firms usually hire employees based on a set of criteria, the most important of which being language skills, analytical and research skills, as well as leadership, organizational and management skills.

Source: The Daily Star 23 April 2014

Al Mustaqbal newspaper published a report on the scrap market in Akkar which has now turned into a flourishing domestic business although it used to rely on illicit trafficking of metal scraps from Syria and Iraq via Wadi Khaled and the Bekaa.

The report notes that the scrap market resells used metal items such as car batteries, old fridges, electrical appliances, used cars, kitchenware, metal rods, etc… It is located behind the metal moratorium and has a wide range of beneficiaries including organized gangs specializing in the theft of metal items.  According to the report, these locations also serve as a hideout for stolen goods including stolen electrical wires. The report details the different stages of this trade based on information gathered from connoisseurs according to whom, the most important skill is to be able to identify places that are likely to contain scrap metals and to spot these via several reconnaissance trips.  This is followed by either a simple theft of items or purchase.  Search for scrap metals covers rubbish bins, neighborhoods of car repair shops, near parking lots as well as in villages and towns that do not care much about scrap metal as well as in places where solid waste is abundant.  Items are identified, stolen and/or bought and them sorted into different kinds of metals and then sold to scarp marketplaces.  Sale prices are set according to weight as well as type of metal and its usage.  Transportation to Beirut and then to the port of export is handled by other professionals in the field.

The report outlined the problematic of organizing and controlling this business especially given the rise in the cost of metal and the increasing prominence of the concept and practice of recycling which increases the number of interested parties.  According to one of the traders in scrap metal, sellers are constantly subjected to pressure, pursuits and suspicions by the relevant authorities.  However, according to the same source, most people are unaware that reselling scrap metal is a well recognized trade in many countries where it is well organized and linked to recycling factories.  The source refutes the idea that all those involved in this trade are outlaws and notes that they play a role in safeguarding resources.  He adds that the trade should be organized and controlled by the law same as other trades in Lebanon.

Source: Al-Mustaqbal 17 April 2014

Syrian refugee women in Lebanon are still subjected to sexual blackmail in return for assistance.  The Higher Relief Council as well as various political groups have severed relief funding originally allocated to a school director in Aley after complaints lodged by two Syrian women who accused him of requesting sexual favors in return for relief aid.  This happened two weeks after a report on the details of the sinister affair by As Safir newspaper on 27 January 2014.  Syrian children in the school were also moved to other schools in the area.

According to the details published about this affair, the school director sexually harassed a 35 year old Syrian cleaner in the school whom he did not pay her dues unless she concedes to giving him sexual favors along with her young sister in return for which he will help her in covering the cost of an operation for their father.  The woman in question refused to be sexually blackmailed and was able to secure medical help for her father from other sources.  The accused refused the charges against him.  However, political party representatives in the areas closed the school under the pretense that there is a problem with the educational curriculum it is following.  The UNHCR has however confirmed to As Safir that the school was closed and the children were moved to another facility based on the results of the internal investigation of the sexual harassment charges.  The investigation was carried out by UNHCR and the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Although many people and organizations were compelled to help the victim after the report was published in As Safir, however, the victim faced the usual challenge faced by all rape and harassment victims namely the difficulty of providing hard evidence which prevented her from suing the perpetrator in court.  Within the same vein, lawyer Mohana Ishak of Kafa noted that the issue of providing hard evidence prevents the majority of the victims of sexual exploitation from suing the harasser or rapist.  She added that usually, people tend to doubt the victim and not the perpetrator who can counter sue and be pronounced innocent.
Source: Al-Safir 22 April 2014