As noted, the educational level of Palestinian refugees remains relatively
low and those without higher education do not compete with Lebanese with
advanced schooling. Only 6% among Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon have
completed secondary school for a current non enrollment or dropout rate of
more than 90% from higher education. 70% have only a primary school
education or less. 13% drop out of school at the elementary level. This
education gap, plus widespread discrimination, keeps Palestinian refugees
from competing with Lebanese for many jobs.
As Lebanon's Parliament deliberates this summer on how to meet its
international legal and moral obligations while benefiting its economy, at a
minimum two severe impediments must be removed for either or both to be
realized. These are the work permit and the application of the principle of
reciprocity.
The work permit.
This poses a major challenge for Palestinians, especially for several
occupations associated with a high turnover of employers. A work permit
can be cancelled at any time in favor of a Lebanese worker. Another issue is
the validity of the permit, lasting only two years. Because of these and
numerous other administrative restrictions, only around 2% of all
Palestinian workers hold work permits. As noted above, Lebanon granted
136,000 foreigners working permits in 2009, and only 261 of them are
Palestinian. Only 11% of Palestine refugee workers have a written contract.
Most do not have paid vacation or sick leave. Occupational injuries are
not covered by UNRWA health services. Of the Palestinian male workers
who stop working, 70% do so for health reasons.
The principle of reciprocity cannot be applied to Palestinian refugees who
are stateless.
Every country has a legitimate reason to protect the interests of its nationals.
This can be done through conditioning the provision of rights to foreigners
on the basis of a mutual enjoyment of these rights by its citizens in the
country of origin of the foreigner. However, applying this principle of
reciprocity to Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, who are stateless, means
effectively denying them the right to work. This impossibility to comply is
clearly against the logic and purpose of the legislation. Lebanon, which is a
state party to the Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights must
ensure the enumerated rights to all individuals within its territorial
jurisdiction including non-nationals. Discrimination on the basis of a person
being stateless is prohibited.
The right to work is essential for realizing other human rights and forms
an inseparable and inherent part of human dignity. Every individual has the
right to be able to work, allowing one to live in dignity. The right to work
contributes at the same time to the survival of the individual and to that of
her/his family, Moreover, insofar as work is freely chosen or accepted, it
enhances the families' development and recognition within the community.
Granting the right to work to Palestinian refugees is part of Lebanon's
obligations under international law and its enactment will benefit Lebanon's
economy.
Franklin Lamb is Director, Americans Concerned for Middle East Peace,
Beirut-Washington DC, Board Member of The Sabra Shatila Foundation,
and a volunteer with the Palestine Civil Rights Campaign, Lebanon. He is
the author of The Price We Pay: A Quarter-Century of Israel's Use of American
Weapons Against Civilians in Lebanon and is doing research in Lebanon for
his next book. He can be reached at fplamb@gmail.com
For information and updates on the Palestine Civil Rights Campaign in
Lebanon, and to sign the petition, go to:
http://www.palestinecivilrightscampaign.org
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