Following protests, Lebanon exempts Palestinians from new labour law

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri announced yesterday that Palestinians are not being included in restrictions placed on foreign workers in the country.

Calling on Minister of Labour Kamil Abu Sleiman to make a formal announcement on the matter, Berri said: “We are witnessing the repercussions of the decision of the Minister of Labour on Palestinian workers, and the situation is almost exploding and the army is exhausted in the streets.”

Late last week Abu Sleiman tightened the restrictions imposed on foreign workers, including Palestine refugees, to force them to obtain working permits. The move saw shops which employ foreign workers illegally closed.

Palestinians held mass protests against the move, saying the new measures were discriminatory and supported US efforts to force Palestinians to accept the “deal of the century” by reducing their economic independence.

Palestinians have been living in Lebanon as refugees for over 70 years since the creation of the state of Israel. To date, they are banned from working in nearly 70 professions including hairdressing, and living in overcrowded refugee camps.

Photo Essay: Life as a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon