COVID-19 and Labour Law: Lebanon

Abstract

Lebanon is facing an economic and political crisis unlike anything experienced in our lifetimes; especially after October 17, 2019 when anti-government demonstrations began to intensify. The government declared a "public health emergency” on March 15, and business operations were interrupted. The measures set out by the Ministry of Labour to address the impact of the national lockdown on working conditions and business operations were limited. It included modification of working time and counselling businesses facing difficulties. Additional measures were taken by the Central Bank and the National Social Security Fund to alleviate the monetary burden on disadvantaged businesses. Also, the government enlarged the scope of the anti-poverty program to aid new vulnerable populations. Yet, the impact of taken measures was falling behind the emergent economic challenges. The governmental action plan was based on a political interest rather than an understanding of the unprecedented economic crisis. It reflected, among other things, the absence of an effective social dialogue structure.