Haidar: A New Board for Social Security Will Be Appointed, Then We Move Forward with the Retirement System Law

A participatory meeting was held with Minister of Labor Muhammad Haidar at the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, called by its President Charles Hajjar, attended by MPs Fared Al-Bustani and Balaal Abdullah, Deputy President of the Council Saad ed-Din Hamidi Scour, General Director Muhammad Seif al-Din, members, and head of the General Union of Workers Bashir Al-Asmar, discussing social security and labor market regulation.

Following the meeting, Hajjar stated: "We completed today's discussion on labor issues, with social security being the central topic. Minister Haidar informed us that tomorrow, the appointment of a new board for social security will be placed on the Cabinet agenda. He emphasized that this institution, which we all rely on as employers and workers, must be protected and strengthened to become one of the best-performing institutions in Lebanon."

"I hope that with the launch of the new board, we also begin issuing the decrees promised by the Minister of Labor, which have already made significant progress. This would mark our transition into a new phase in implementing the retirement and social protection law—a national demand for all Lebanese people and a fundamental social and societal issue in Lebanon. I believe we have now begun this journey."

He concluded by noting: "Discussions on labor and foreign workers continue. Through this meeting, ideas are crystallizing, aiming to launch the paper we are currently developing."

In turn, Haidar pointed out: "The very positive aspect of today’s meeting was the open dialogue—discussions were deep, thorough, and took sufficient time." He added: "We discussed three main topics, with the largest portion focused on social security, because the primary concern lies in end-of-service benefits, sustaining the economic sector, and how to deliver social security coverage to insured individuals."

"The discussion was frank, and we formed a clear understanding of the subject. I believe we are all aligned and harmonious in our discussions about finding a solution to this matter."

"I announce that tomorrow, a new board for social security will be appointed. Then, we will move forward to implement the retirement system and social protection law, which ensures lifelong social protection and pension benefits for all workers upon retirement, while simultaneously securing their health coverage. This is the first step the government is taking to stabilize social security regarding end-of-service benefits and social protection."

"Regarding the labor market topic we began discussing today, we will continue it in the next session. We will address how all parties—employers, workers, the Ministry of Labor, and the government—can cooperate to open new job markets and secure Lebanese workers in their jobs. I hope future ideas will help open a new chapter for Lebanon’s labor sector through collaboration with everyone."

On the issue of hiring foreign workers over Lebanese nationals, Haidar said: "This topic has two aspects. The way it is presented suggests employers prefer foreign workers over Lebanese ones. In reality, some sectors are unattractive to Lebanese workers, who often leave after short stints regardless of incentives. Conversely, other sectors favor foreign labor due to lower costs, making them prefer foreign workers over Lebanese."

"We discussed this openly and clearly. We will all work together to create incentives that make employers prioritize offering job opportunities to Lebanese workers. We will continue this discussion in the next session and, God willing, reach positive recommendations."

Haidar also highlighted: "A key point is that in recent times, many foreign workers have been employed outside formal systems, operating illegally without fulfilling their social security obligations. We have opened a settlement window at the Ministry of Labor and the Internal Security Forces since December last year, and we will continue until the end of September. After that date, coordinated nationwide enforcement campaigns will be launched by inspectors from both the Internal Security Forces and the Ministry of Labor. Anyone who fails to regularize their status and continues employing illegal foreign workers will bear full responsibility for enforcing the law, protecting Lebanese workers, and preserving the labor market."

In his turn, Abdullah thanked the Economic and Social Council for providing this productive discussion opportunity, and praised Minister Haidar for his tremendous efforts in advancing social security, the National Fund, and labor laws.

"We face an extremely difficult task—though not impossible—on balancing the need to avoid economic contraction with launching social protections, given the current unstable security situation and lack of economic recovery," he said. "Balancing social security guarantees with protecting the economy from contraction is no easy task. But with Minister Haidar’s determination, ongoing efforts, mutual understanding, and dialogue between employers, workers, and social contract stakeholders, we will achieve satisfactory results—ensuring a minimum level of social protection for people and a minimum level of economic stimulus to keep the private sector producing and contributing."

NMP Al-Bustani said: "I have been part of the Economic Council for nearly nine years. I want to say today’s discussion was excellent. My presence here from the Economy Committee is to identify legislative gaps so we can assist you, Dr. Balaal and I. Minister Haidar was exceptionally transparent with us. I am proud to be here, and we will certainly continue this conversation."