Pickup Drivers Protest Competition from Syrians

Drivers of pickup trucks staged a “symbolic” sit-in on Saturday in the northern district of Akkar protesting the competition from Syrians, the National News Agency reported.

NNA said the drivers protested the spiking hiring of Syrian drivers to transport agricultural produce from Bekaa and Akkar to other Lebanese regions.

They said some “companies are hiring Syrian drivers to work on pickup trucks owned by Lebanese to deliver produce, mainly potato, from Bekaa and Akkar to other regions. This has harmed the work of around 400 Lebanese drivers and truck owners.”

The campaigners demanded the related Lebanese authorities to address the matter and vowed to escalate measures if no moves were taken.

Rules adopted in January 2015 require Syrians to either register for residency through the U.N. -- on condition that they pledge not to work -- or through a Lebanese sponsor.