Tripartism and social dialogue
ILO Study: Lebanon requires a new paradigm for trade unions to prosper
A study released by the ILO and the the Friedrich-Ebert Foundation has stated that past and current structures in the Lebanese economy and workers’ organizations have resulted in a need for unions to rethink their role and internal structures to meet the expectations of their members as well as the wider labour force.
The ILO and the Friedrich-Ebert foundation have released a formative study on the history characteristics of Lebanon’s trade union movement as well as the reforms needed to re-invigorate it. The study entitled “Characteristics and Structure of the Union Movement in Lebanon,” consists of a review of existing literature, the results of a field survey and recommendations to the movement.
“The study provides a clear evidence base to assess the realities of the union movement in Lebanon and the work needed to ensure workers’ organizations can regain their role in industrial and public relations,” said Mustapha Said, Senior Workers’ Specialist at the ILO Regional Office for Arab States.
The report underlined the main contextual factors that have contributed to weakening the workers’ movement such as structural elements of the economy moving towards smaller and less value added enterprises, an increase in outward migration of highly-skilled workers as well as the growth of informal and foreign workers. The report also found that unions have been unsuccessful in attracting workers while the state has consistently snubbed policy reforms such as the ratification of convention ILO Conventions on the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention (No.87) as well as the Workers’ Representatives Convention (No. 135). In addition, political and sectarian interference in trade unions’ and federations’ operations were found to be a serious impediment to their effectiveness.
“The workers’ movement must adjust its structures and bylaws to be more inclusive and democratic as well as adopt long-term strategies to mobilize the activities of trade unions that go beyond spontaneous reactions to events and government decisions,” said Samir Farah, Advisor on Trade Union Affairs at the Friedrich-Ebert Foundation.
The study also produced some of the most comprehensive survey findings on the union movement in Lebanon to date. Results showed that only around 11 percent of workers surveyed are in fact unionized, of which 53 percent were female. The majority of non-unionized workers reported that they never considered joining a union (26.1 percent) or were not aware of any union to join (22.2 percent). In fact, most respondents have never participated in any kind of mass movement of employees in the workplace and 92.5 percent have never attempted to organize with their colleagues to join a trade union. For the minority who have organized workers, many faced obstacles such as threats from their employer (24.3 percent), legal restrictions (21.6 percent) and fear of co-workers (21.6 percent).
“There are so many reasons why the trade union movement in Lebanon needs to endeavor to rethink its mission, role, modus operandi and legal environment,” said Kamal Hamdan, Executive Director at Consultation and Research Institute. “To do so, the movement will need to take into account modern economic frameworks and structures and the characteristics of the workforce, work to reduce political interference in its affairs as well as enhance the collaboration between trade unions and civil society organizations.”
“The study provides a clear evidence base to assess the realities of the union movement in Lebanon and the work needed to ensure workers’ organizations can regain their role in industrial and public relations,” said Mustapha Said, Senior Workers’ Specialist at the ILO Regional Office for Arab States.
The report underlined the main contextual factors that have contributed to weakening the workers’ movement such as structural elements of the economy moving towards smaller and less value added enterprises, an increase in outward migration of highly-skilled workers as well as the growth of informal and foreign workers. The report also found that unions have been unsuccessful in attracting workers while the state has consistently snubbed policy reforms such as the ratification of convention ILO Conventions on the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention (No.87) as well as the Workers’ Representatives Convention (No. 135). In addition, political and sectarian interference in trade unions’ and federations’ operations were found to be a serious impediment to their effectiveness.
“The workers’ movement must adjust its structures and bylaws to be more inclusive and democratic as well as adopt long-term strategies to mobilize the activities of trade unions that go beyond spontaneous reactions to events and government decisions,” said Samir Farah, Advisor on Trade Union Affairs at the Friedrich-Ebert Foundation.
The study also produced some of the most comprehensive survey findings on the union movement in Lebanon to date. Results showed that only around 11 percent of workers surveyed are in fact unionized, of which 53 percent were female. The majority of non-unionized workers reported that they never considered joining a union (26.1 percent) or were not aware of any union to join (22.2 percent). In fact, most respondents have never participated in any kind of mass movement of employees in the workplace and 92.5 percent have never attempted to organize with their colleagues to join a trade union. For the minority who have organized workers, many faced obstacles such as threats from their employer (24.3 percent), legal restrictions (21.6 percent) and fear of co-workers (21.6 percent).
“There are so many reasons why the trade union movement in Lebanon needs to endeavor to rethink its mission, role, modus operandi and legal environment,” said Kamal Hamdan, Executive Director at Consultation and Research Institute. “To do so, the movement will need to take into account modern economic frameworks and structures and the characteristics of the workforce, work to reduce political interference in its affairs as well as enhance the collaboration between trade unions and civil society organizations.”