Back to Contents The source said: ‘There is no specific mechanism for the adoption of a ministerial decree. ‘Bayram’s decision does not affect Palestinians whose specializations require membership in powerful syndicates. These syndicates also prevent Lebanese who are not members from practicing their professions. ‘Bayram’s decision does not affect Palestinians whose specializations require membership in powerful syndicates. These syndicates also prevent Lebanese who are not members from practicing their professions. ‘This decision only allows the use of Palestinian labor in professions that do not require advanced degrees. These are modest craft and manual professions that the Lebanese do not want to work in. ‘Simultaneously, this decision prevents a social crisis in the camps as a result of the economic collapse and many unemployed young Palestinians turning to drugs and theft. In other words, it is a decision to defuse the situation. ‘Palestinian refugees contribute to Lebanon’s economy; thousands of them are paid in dollars by the Palestine Liberation Organization or international organizations and they spend their money in Lebanon.’ In a press conference on Friday, Bayram said: ‘What was prohibited by the constitution and laws is still prohibited for the non-Lebanese. Foreign workers in all sectors work under an exception license issued by the labor minister. However, the Lebanese people have the priority in all professions.’ He added: ‘90 percent of people criticizing us have not read the whole decision. The Lebanese worker holds the priority, and the exception is granted to the foreign worker. Some sectors do not appeal to the Lebanese, such as the construction and agriculture sector, where we gave foreign workers priority. ‘The decree gives Palestinians privileges by exempting them from having a work permit and allowing them membership of social security. We are in trouble in the job market and trying to fill the gaps. The Lebanese market needs foreign labor.’ (Source: Arab News, “Anger in Lebanon as Palestinian refugees granted work rights”, 10 December 2021) In December 2021, AlAraby, an international Arabic newspaper and website, wrote about an amendment to the Lebanese Labour law, which was signed on 25 November 202145: “On Wednesday, the Lebanese Minister of Labor, Mustafa Bayram, took a decision to integrate Palestinians into the official economy, by lifting the ban on work in many sectors, including pharmacy, public transport, engineering and any other professions that require union membership. The new decree will allow “Palestinians born on Lebanese soil and officially registered with the Ministry of Interior” to work in professions that have been officially prohibited for them for decades.” [In-house translation. The author is an Arabic native speaker] ORIGINAL SOURCE: ‫ بينها‬،‫ وذلك من خالل رفع الحظر عن العمل يف العديد من القطاعات‬،‫واتخذ وزير العمل اللبناين مصطفى بريم األربعاء قرارا بدمج الفلسطينيني يف االقتصاد الرسمي‬ ‫ وسيسمح املرسوم الجديد “للفلسطينيني املولودين عىل األرايض اللبنانية واملسجلني بشكل رسمي‬.‫الصيدلة والنقل العام والهندسة وأي مهن أخرى تتطلب عضوية نقابية‬ .‫ بالعمل يف املهن التي ظلت محظورة عليهم رسميا عىل مدى عقود‬،”‫لدى وزارة الداخلية‬ (Source: AlArab.co.uk: “Lebanon eases restrictions on Palestinian refugees’ work in a world of work stalemate”, 10 December 2021) 45 Lebanese Ministry of Labour (signed by the Minister Mustafa Bayram), Decree no. 1/96 in relation to professions that should be limited to Lebanese only. 25 November 2021. (Arabic only) 9. Access to labour market, means of basic subsistence 93