The Federation of Syndicates of Employees and Workers of Hotels, Restaurants, Catering, and Playgrounds in Lebanon pointed out, “We would like to emphasize what we have mentioned repeatedly and previously, which is the importance of combating foreign labor, which is currently abundant in our sector, and we ask that the worker be allowed to collect fresh dollars in line with the decision of the Minister of Tourism to collect the invoices of tourism establishments in dollars.” Noting that only 2% of these institutions pay their employees in fresh dollars, in exchange for the increase in all prices in foreign currency.
And he indicated, in a statement, that “we recall that this employment that does not pay taxes, resides within the institution, eats and drinks on its premises, and takes a salary slightly less than the Lebanese worker, does not give the same quality of work as the latter.”
The union stated, “It is expected and clear that during this period of the year and in the summer season as well, the percentage of public income will increase, as a result of the production of the tourism sector in Lebanon, and the foreign currency that enters the country must benefit the Lebanese worker by at least 70% instead of taking it.” Foreign workers and their expulsion outside the country, as this issue is similar to any smuggling operation that takes place outside the Lebanese territory.”
He stressed “the importance of preserving the Lebanese labor force that protects the national currency and contributes to the economic wheel in the country,” wishing employers to include all sector employees in the National Social Security Fund and reactivate it and record all social assistance given to Lebanese workers in this sector at the correct value in The Fund in order to benefit from the revival of the insurance budget and its reflection in medical and hospital care, similar to the displaced and foreign workers residing in Lebanon.
