Hariri on Labor Day: Govt. Took Steps to Cut Refugees Competition for Lebanese Labor Force

Prime Minister Saad Hariri marked Labor Day on Monday assuring that the Lebanese government has already begun taking a series of measures to reduce competition for the Lebanese labor market.

“Our government, despite its limited age and focus on the preparation of the draft electoral law and staging the elections, has spared no effort to address the problems of workers and to alleviate their suffering as much as possible,” a statement issued by Hariri's press office said on Monday marking Labor Day.

“The government has already begun taking measures to reduce competition for the Lebanese labor force, actuating the economic cycle and encouraging investments to increase employment opportunities, and putting the demand for the wage scale on its priority list,” added the Premier.

Shedding light on the competition from Syrians in the Lebanese working market, he added: “We know the Lebanese workers, who are the pillar of the general production cycle, are not in suitable conditions these days due to increased competition in the labor market as the result of the influx of Syrian workers, the decline of the economic cycle and political bickering.”

Hariri concluded assuring that the government “will do the utmost to improve the labor market in Lebanon in their favor and to provide suitable conditions for them to live in dignity in their homeland.”

Syrian refugees are competing with Lebanese citizens for jobs, access to public services and infrastructure and, in particular, already scarce and fragile natural resources, such as land, water and forests. The situation threatens the country’s delicate sectarian balance, institutional and political stability, and regional peace and security., the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said in a report.