"It is not fair that workers' rights should depend on an economic system which only offers very big or very small earning potential." It is in these critical terms that the Maronite Patriarch Nasrasllah Sfeir spoke about Lebanon's current economy according to a report by the Daily Star. Speaking at yesterday's Sunday mass in his summer residence of Diman, the patriarch called the country's economic system unfair towards workers.
Sfier suggested that every economic project whatever the sector should be evaluated in terms of workers' rights. He urged international organisations starting with the United Nations to put pressure on governments to be more open to the issue.
"Every able-bodied person should have the opportunity to find a suitable job. Failing to do so is a sign that the country's economic fabric is coming apart at the seams," he added.
"One of the primary responsibilities of governments should be to combat unemployment (which is currently at 18% in Lebanon) and prevent it from reaching unacceptable proportions and turning into a social ill."
Sfier's remarks come two days before "Planet Lebanon 2004," the fourth international conference of the Lebanese International Business Council. Held from July 20 to the 22 at the Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Center or BIEL, the conference will tackle issues such encouraging Lebanese expatriates to invest back home.
Patriarch Sfeir was also critical of another worrying consequence of unemployment, namely the brain drain. Since finding a job is so difficult most young Lebanese graduates leave the country. The best minds realise right away that they "have no chance to find suitable jobs. So they are forced to emigrate. The greatest disappointment for young people, who have taken the trouble of learning and achieving high qualifications, was when they fail to land decent jobs."
Yesterday's mass was also attended by the president of the Maronite League Michel Edde and a delegation of young Mexican-Lebanese.
