Bou Saab: Approval of Proposal to Enhance Care Policies; Electoral Law Subcommittee Begins Work on Monday

Parliamentary committees held a joint session this morning, chaired by Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab, with the attendance of Ministers Kamal Chehade, Tamara Zain, Nizar Hani, Rakan Nasr El-Din, and member MPs.

Following the session, Bou Saab stated that "the committees discussed five proposals and draft laws." He explained that the first proposal concerns the establishment of a mandatory syndicate for optometry specialists in Lebanon. There was a discussion regarding it, with differing views, so a subcommittee was formed to study it within one month, paving the way for its approval or rejection.

The second project is a government-submitted draft law to establish a mandatory professional syndicate for licensed chemists in Lebanon. It was also decided to form a subcommittee to study it.

He added: "Regarding the draft law aiming to establish a Ministry of Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Lebanon, this ministry is necessary, and we have been late in establishing it in Lebanon." He noted that previous discussions focused on the potential overlap of the proposed ministry's competencies with other ministries, which could lead to conflicts in powers and interests.

He indicated that "the project had been returned from the General Assembly to the joint committees, so a subcommittee was formed to study it within two weeks," clarifying that "there are observations on the project, and they can be taken into account to reach an understanding and approve the project."

He continued: "The committees also discussed the draft law seeking approval for the Forestry Law." Bou Saab explained that "the Minister of Agriculture was following up on his observations regarding it, and it was decided to form a subcommittee to further study the project within a specific timeframe, paving the way for its approval."

In contrast, the committees unanimously approved the legislative proposal aimed at enhancing care policies related to maternity, paternity, breastfeeding entitlements, childcare services, and social security, after considering that it had been "thoroughly studied" in the committees and that its approval was necessary.

Regarding the parliamentary elections file, Bou Saab pointed out that "after the suspension of the work of the subcommittee tasked with studying parliamentary election laws, the elections were postponed," considering that "the current law contains loopholes requiring amendment."

He said: "There are several proposals under consideration in the committee, including those related to the establishment of a Senate, those aiming to amend the current law, as well as proposals for new electoral laws."

Bou Saab affirmed that the subcommittee will resume its work "seriously" starting Monday to study the election law, "as promised by the government and as stated in the oath speech."