Asia-Pacific
Lebanon grants work permits to Palestinian refugees
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-18 10:30
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BEIRUT - Lebanese Parliament on Tuesday approved the suggestion concerning work permits for Palestinian refugees, the country's state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported.
Legislators ratified the law proposal related to the amendment of Article 59 of the Lebanese Labor law issued in 1946, which gives the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon a work permit.
"It's a step forward but it does not take into consideration everything we are asking for," said Palestinian Ambassador to Lebanon Abdullah Abdullah shortly after the Lebanese Parliament's decision.
More than 400,000 Palestinian refugees live in Lebanon, most of them in the 12 refugee camps run by UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
Lebanon has not given them the civil rights which should be given upon international law.
Without work permissions, most of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon have to work in low-level jobs in black market. They have no right of ownership for houses. They are also excluded from working in more than 25 professions, making most of them living in poor conditions.
"We will continue to work with our partners towards of adopting the right of ownership of refugees," the ambassador added.
"We were not allowed to work before, but now we can work upon permission," said Gaby Jamar, a Palestinian journalist born and living in Lebanon.
"But we still face difficulties in employment. We still cannot work as lawyers, pharmacists, etc, since the syndicates of these professions have their own practices which the government has no right to change," said Jamar.