The Ministry of Labor unveiled a plan to combat illegal foreign labor in Lebanon. According to the plan, the ministry will launch a media campaign to explain to citizens the objectives of the plan, and to clarify the rights and duties of business owners and foreign workers. Also, the ministry will give foreign workers and business owners a period of one month to settle their violations starting from June 10, 2019. In addition, it will ask the private sector, the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers, and syndicates, among other entities, to abide by the law that prohibits the recruitment of foreign workers in professions, jobs and occupations confined to Lebanese nationals, as well as to insure the availability of a work permit for their foreign workers in sectors where they are allowed to work.

The plan stipulates that the share of non-Lebanese business owners in the capital of the company or enterprise should be no less than LBP100m when applying for their work permits. Also, it requires such companies to have at least 75% of their headcount as Lebanese nationals. In addition, the ministry intends to strengthen the role of its inspection unit in order to enforce the law, to fine non-abiding employers, close illegal businesses and scrutinize the provision of work permits, among others. It noted that the fine for non-abiding employers will increase from a maximum of LBP2.5m to LBP5m under the 2019 draft budget. 

Further, the plan includes the establishment of a joint-operation task force between the Ministry of Labor, the Internal Security Forces, the State Security and the General Security, in order to support the inspection unit when conducting its tasks. It also stipulates that ministries that have inspection units, as well as municipalities, should cooperate with the Labor Ministry to control illegal employment. In addition, the plan incorporates the support of the Ministry of Social Affairs, which should provide the Ministry of Labor with the names of individuals who benefit from contributions and donations from international organizations and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in order to withhold work permits from these beneficiaries.