11.1 LG is creating obstacles that prevent PR from accessing labour market
Lebanese labour law distinguishes between Lebanese and non-Lebanese. The law does not sensitize the status of PRL, thus they are still subjected to the provisions of the laws that govern the work of foreigners even though they are refugees in Lebanon since 67 years. The amendment of the Labour Law 129/2010, specifically Article 59, exempted them from reciprocity and work permit fees, while the requirement of permits to access work keeps them under the weight of instability, especially as it needs to be renewed annually, even if they pay no fees. Worth note in the ninth session of UPR 2010 the recommendation 84(10) urged LG to take better procedures improving working conditions and situations for PR and Lebanon didn’t respond.11.2 Depriving PR of working in “Liberal professions”
PR are deprived form working in so-called “Liberal professions", which require syndicate affiliation, due to laws regulation. Some of these professions require Lebanese nationality. For example, bar association law no. 8/70 mentions that anyone who wants to work as a lawyer in Lebanon must be Lebanese for more than ten years. In other Syndicates and unions laws impose reciprocity and the right to practice the profession in one’s own country, such as Doctors’ Syndicate that applies (COM Decree No. 1659 of 1979). Same goes for Syndicates of Pharmacy and Engineering. In-spite of labour law amendment 129/2010 however it did not reflect itself on syndicates by laws, thus PR are being deprived from syndicates affiliation to practice these professions.11.3 Depriving the PR workers of benefiting from social security services
Article 9 of the social security law 128/2010 was amended and canceled the condition of reciprocity. However, the current law still deprives PR workers from social security services and familial benefits in particular maternity benefits, what affects working PRW. Despite stated in the social security service that every worker is subject to the payment of all fees (23.5% of the value of salary)4, they do not benefit except from the end of service indemnity (equivalent to only 8.5% of the paid value)5. This enforces private health insurance, what causes an additional financial burden on the PR workers and employers, thus reducing the willingness to hire them. Therefore a lot of workers are forced to accept harsh working conditions, low wages and no legal protection.11.4 In 2010, the LG approved, the ninth session on the recommendation of 80(25-32), but the laws still discriminate against refugee women and PR in terms of labor law and social security law.
11.5 Recommendation 14:
Amend 129/2010 law in terms of terminating the working permits and grant the PR the right to practice so-called “Liberal professions”. Along with this, issue COM decrees to insure implementation of the law.
11.6 Recommendation 15:
Amend laws and change by laws that regulate syndicate professions to be in harmony with labor law and in terms of completing abolition of reciprocity as well as abolish conditions of practicing the profession in country of origin.
11.7 Recommendation 16:
Amend the law 128/2010 allowing PR workers to enjoy their full rights in social security, and guaranteeing maternity benefits to the PRW workers and issue COM decrees to insure implementation of the law.
From the Universal Periodic Review of Lebanon, 23rd session of the Working Group on the UPR (November 2015). “Human Rights violations for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon”. Jointly submitted by: Palestinian Human Rights Organization (PHRO), Human Development Center, Association Najdeh, Norwegian People’s Aid Lebanon Office (NPA), Developmental Action Without Borders (NABAA), Committee for the Employment of Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon (CEP), Resource Center for Employment Promotion and Social Protection (R-CEP), Palestinian Association for Human Rights (Witness), Women’s Humantarian Organization (PWHO), Centre for Refugee Rights / Aidoun (CRR), Women Program Association (WPA), Mousawat Association, Joint Christian committee for Social service (JCC).