/ 17 © Isabel de la Cruz/ UNRWA archives Right to work Over the years Palestine refugees in Lebanon have suffered from severe employment restrictions. UNRWA has actively worked to implement the right of work for Palestine refugees and recent amendments to the labour legislation have eased assess to the labour market for the refugees. The legislation is, however, still new and there are uncertainties around its implementation and issues such as provision for social security for working refugees and removal of demand for work permits for the refugees. UNRWA has identified the need to: Recognition of non-IDs Non-ID refugees are a category of Palestinians in Lebanon who do not hold the identification card issued by the Directorate General of Palestinian Refugee Affairs (DPRA), are generally referred to as the non-IDs. Their absence of legal status seriously restricts their freedom of movement. In response to advocacy efforts, the Government of Lebanon decided in 2008 to issue non-IDs with a special identity card (SIC). At present 995 non-IDs have been issued with a Special Identity Card, while approximately 1000 persons have been rejected. • UNRWA will continue to strengthen advocacy efforts to ensure full rights and benefits for SIC holders. The Agency will be: • • • Monitor the situation in the labour market for Palestine refugees; Provide refugees with information about the amended law; Provide legal aid to refugees pursuing civil action through Lebanese courts. Coordination with relevant bodies in order to ensure strong advocacy for right to work for the refugees. This initiative will contribute to HDG 3 A Decent Standard of living and HDG 4 Human rights enjoyed to the fullest extent possible. More specifically to strategic objectives 10, 12 and 13: • • • Improve employability; Ensure service delivery meets the protection needs of beneficiaries, including vulnerable groups; Safeguard and advance the rights of Palestinian refugees by promoting respect for Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law and International Refugee Law. • • Facilitating their access to relevant services, particularly hospitalization services. Advocate with partners for clear renewal procedures for SIC holders; recognition of civil registration (marriage), issuance of travel documents, establishment of procedures for issuance of DPRA IDs to new born children of non-ID parents. This initiative will contribute to HDG 4 Human rights enjoyed to the fullest extent possible. More specifically to strategic objectives 13: • Decline in number of Palestinians without legal identification documentation.