Back to Contents […] “Palestinian respondents described unemployment as ‘the core of all their problems’ with devastating economic and social consequences (e.g., poverty, stress, depression, and drug abuse), particularly for youth. Rather than fierce competition for jobs amongst different nationalities, a lack of employment opportunities compounded by legal exclusion from the labour market was identified as the root cause of these problems. Palestinian respondents demand an integrated approach to their situation that addresses both their needs, and their civil and economic rights in Lebanon.” “Palestinian refugees have been living in Lebanon for more than 70 years. The LPDC census in 2017 found that 165,549 PRL and 17,706 PRS reside in Lebanon’s camps and gatherings alongside 12,030 Lebanese and 28,317 Syrians (LPDC, 2017, 21). Many Palestinian refugees are deprived of basic civil and socioeconomic rights, such as the right to work or practice liberal professions, run businesses and own property outside gatherings and camps. As a result, more than half (53%) of PRS and 23 per cent of PRL are unemployed (AUB and UNRWA 2016, 2). Perhaps reflective of this, most Palestinian refugees are partially dependent on humanitarian assistance, with the vast majority (90%) of PRS and 65 percent of PRL living below the poverty line in Lebanon (AUB and UNRWA 2016, 2).” Unemployment in Mieh Mieh camp: […] “Many respondents emphasised that their inability to find work was politically engineered. For them, work is a basic right that is unjustly denied to Palestinians due to their nationality: You’re asking about the reasons for unemployment, while we as Palestinians are deprived of our basic rights. We’re not allowed to work, and when we work, we can’t take any days off or receive service indemnity, and we can’t have any property. We’re deprived of all of our rights. You’re asking me while I’m a Palestinian? There is unemployment because of the lack of job vacancies. As a Palestinian, I’m only allowed to work as a freelancer. (Palestinian Plumber, male, 52 years old, Mieh Mieh camp) This situation was compounded by the Ministry of Labour initiative in July 2019 to enforce laws which required Palestinian workers to obtain permits and which penalised businesses that did not comply with the regulation. Companies fear legal repercussions for hiring Palestinian workers through inspections by the field teams of the Ministry of Labour.” [Generally speaking] “Job opportunities are scarce in Lebanon, not only for Palestinians, but also for the Lebanese as well. You know what’s happening in Lebanon. Only those who have means of nepotism, or have important acquaintances - like politicians - who can support them, will be hired, while regular people who are qualified aren’t being hired. Many engineers, doctors, and well-educated people work in unbelievable types of jobs.” [Quote by a Palestinian nurse, unemployed, male, 40 years old, Mieh Mieh camp.] (Source: UNDP, “Nothing and Everything to Lose: Results from a Qualitative WhatsApp Survey of Palestinian Camps and Gatherings in Lebanon”, 06 October 2020, pp. 10-37) UNRWA Protection brief “Palestine refugees living in Lebanon” cited the right to work as a major protection concern. Palestine refugees in Lebanon are prevented from employment in 39 syndicated liberal professions, including medicine, law and engineering. “According to available data, in 2015 the unemployment rate of PRL was estimated at 23 per cent […]. Positive changes to the Lebanese legal framework in 2005 and 2010 have in principle improved PRL’s right to access formal employment and related social protection mechanisms, removing the principle of reciprocity between countries on labour issues, allowing PRL to access 75 professions, and giving them partial access to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF). However, while PRL are required to fully contribute to the NSSF, they are not able to fully benefit from the system, as they are still excluded from family allowance and the sickness and maternity fund. They are also still required to obtain an annual work permit through a lengthy administrative process which depends on the willingness of the employer to request it from the Lebanese authorities. Syndicated liberal professions have not been required to amend their bylaws, and as a result, PRL are prevented from employment in 39 professions such as medicine, law and engineering. […] (Source: UNRWA: “Protection brief: Palestine refugees living in Lebanon”, September 2020, p. 1) 9. Access to labour market, means of basic subsistence 89