Lebanon

The global displacement crisis demands integration solutions, notably in labor markets. The PROSPECTS Partnership, operating across Egypt, Ethiopia, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Uganda, and Sudan, aims to support refugee integration. The International Labour Organization (ILO) conducted a review focusing on refugees' right to work and rights at work. Findings reveal significant gaps in legislation, hindering refugee access to formal employment, justice systems, and social security benefits. Comprehensive legal reforms and practical support mechanisms are needed to facilitate refugee integration. Detailed country-specific reports are available for download on the ILO website.

The "Preliminary Assessment of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in the Agriculture Sector in Lebanon" offers a thorough overview of OSH conditions across selected farms in the Akkar and Beqaa regions of Lebanon. Based on interviews with 37 Lebanese farmers conducted by a team from the American University of Beirut, the assessment includes a survey of hazards and risks, analyses farmers' knowledge of OSH practices, and identifies areas for improvement.

The assessment proposes targeted interventions to enhance workplace safety for the well-being of farmers and agricultural workers. It also maps public and private entities involved in OSH training and capacity building in the agriculture sector.

The primary findings from this assessment indicate that predominant risks identified on farms encompass physical, chemical, mechanical, biological, and ergonomic hazards, along with those arising from the work dynamics and environment. Suggestions for mitigating these risks centre on establishing a comprehensive national Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) policy that incorporates OSH units within both the Ministry of Labour and Agriculture.

Additionally, there is a focus on fostering OSH practices across all sectors within the agricultural industry through awareness raising and capacity building activities.

In Lebanon, the ILO’s PROSPECTS Partnership focuses on enhancing resilience of the country's crisis-hit labour market and creating better livelihoods for both Lebanese host community members and Syrian refugees with a special focus on agriculture.

This publication presents a study on the life situation, basic needs, and access to social protection and employment of individuals with disabilities in Lebanon, focusing on severe disabilities. Data from the Labour Force and Household Living Conditions Survey (LFHLCS) and the Disability and Health Survey conducted by Fundación Promoción Social (FPS) were analyzed. The study reveals that individuals with severe disabilities face socioeconomic challenges, including difficulty meeting basic needs, lower income levels, and limited access to social protection and employment. The report establishes a baseline from 2019, providing valuable insights for future research on the impact of crises, such as currency depreciation, political and economic instability, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Port of Beirut explosion, on vulnerable individuals with disabilities. The study uses 2019 data, with income figures reported in Lebanese pounds (lira or LBP) based on the official exchange rate at that time.

Through PROSPECTS programme, the ILO has undertaken a national policy, legislative and regulatory frameworks and practice review. This review includes an analysis of current legislation, policies and regulatory frameworks, and how their implementation works in practice across the eight PROSPECTS countries to support the governments in policy, legislation, regulatory development and/or reform as appropriate.

Through this review, the ILO seeks to explore further opportunities to strengthen policy, legislative and institutional environments and mechanisms, working closely with host governments and other national actors and partners.

By providing a comprehensive and robust picture of the situation on the ground, the report offers actionable areas of intervention to support policy development, reform and implementation capacity of the host governments, other national and local actors, including the social partners, to enhance inclusion and protection.