Back to Contents The same source further stated that: “Lebanon is commonly referred to as the country where conditions for Palestinian refugees are the ‘worst off’ among those hosting them since 1948, and a turbulent history has marked the Palestinian presence in the country. Among the five UNRWA ‘fields’ of operation, Lebanon has the highest percentage of Palestine refugees living in abject poverty.(p. 208) This is directly linked to the marginalization Palestinians have experienced in Lebanon in the economic and social spheres. Discrimination against Palestinians in Lebanon is institutional and is entrenched in both the Tai’f Constitution and the legal system.” (Source: “Francesca P. Albanese and Lex Takkenberg/Oxford University Press, Palestinian Refugees in International Law”, May 2020, Chapter 3.3.1, p. 272) A submission by the United Nations Country Team as part of Lebanon’s third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review, noted that: “Palestine refugees from Lebanon (PRL) are still prohibited from practicing 39 professions due to the precondition of holding the Lebanese nationality, or having to meet the reciprocity of treatment condition in order to access the profession. PRL are required to obtain an annual permit from the Ministry of Labour to work legally in Lebanon. According to the amended Labour Law 129/2010, PRL employees can obtain this work permit free of charge but it is bound to the will of their employer and requires a cumbersome administrative procedure. Furthermore, PRL workers do not benefit from the National Social Security Fund equally as per their contributions; they cannot access the sickness and maternity fund, nor the family allowances fund. In August 2019 the former Ministry of Labour adopted decision 93/1 to simplify the procedure to obtain a work permit but still the work permit is linked to the work contract.” (Source: UN Human Rights Council, “Universal Periodic Review Third Cycle - Lebanon - UN Contributions: UNCT Lebanon, 2020”) 9.2. What is the 2021 Decision by the Minister of Labour, Moustafa Bayram, relating to employment of Palestinians in Lebanon? On 25 November 2021, the Lebanese Ministry of Labour signed Decree Decree no. 1/96: in relation to professions that should be limited to Lebanese only and signed by the Minister Mustafa Bayram.44 As noted in the following article published by Arab news in December 2021, the decision to allow Palestinian refugees to work in additional sectors that were previously closed to them. “Labor Minister Mustafa Bayram finalized the decision on Wednesday, but it has been met with criticism, particularly from the Christian right, which has launched a campaign against the minister. The decision allows Palestinian refugees — many of whom are doctors, lawyers and nurses — to work in the managerial, business, tourism, industrial, information, health, education and service sectors. It includes “Palestinians born in Lebanese territories, born to a Lebanese mother or married to a Lebanese citizen, and non-registered Palestinians who were born in Lebanon,” but forbids them from joining state security services or free profession syndicates.” […] A source examining the right of Palestinian refugees to work in Lebanon told Arab News that former labor minister Trad Hamadeh tried to push through a similar decree that was canceled by the next prime minister. 44 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 92