–Photo Credit: National News Agency, nna-leb.gov.lb

Articles and views shared in the Weekly News Report do not necessarily represent ARM’s views. Information in these articles has not been fact-checked by ARM and may contain some errors. ARM is simply compiling all news relevant to migrant communities to inform our advocacy efforts and to facilitate the work of organizations that cater to migrant communities.

Minister of Social Affairs Demands 30 Billion US Dollars as “Compensation for the Cost of Hosting Syrians” [here] [here] and [here]

During the 6th Brussels conference on “Supporting the future of Syria and the region” that took place in early May, Minister of Social Affairs Hector Hajjar expressed racist remarks towards Syrians in Lebanon and demanded 30 billion US Dollars in direct compensation to the Lebanese state.

In an interview with the General Security, he denied plans for aid and integration of Syrians, stating that the Lebanese plan towards displaced Syrians will move towards the execution phase, claiming that “Lebanon comes first.”

The interview is riddled with misinformation, scapegoating and uncited claims about Syrians. For example, when asked about the economic effects of hosting displaced Syrians, Hajjar said that 3 billion US Dollars were spent on bread alone in the last 11 years, according to a “study” that was conducted by the Ministry of Social Affairs.

While the study is nowhere to be found on the ministry’s defunct website, the claim lacks any level of depth regarding the actual spending mechanism, or how this superficial example could impact the economy positively.

FENASOL and MSF Discuss Post-Pandemic Effects on Migrant Domestic Workers [here] and [here]

The National Federation of Worker and Employee Trade Unions in Lebanon (FENASOL) held a meeting with Doctors Without Borders to evaluate the current economic situation in Lebanon and its effects on the mental health of domestic workers in Lebanon.

The meeting called for the abolishment of Kafala and for the implementation of the International Labor Organization Convention N.189 and N.190.

Dollars for Syrians and Pounds for Lebanese [here] and [here]

An uncited quote by a mysterious minister expressed how “painful” it is to witness Syrians withdrawing cash from Lebanese banks in USD, while Lebanese people struggle to withdraw their savings, the value of which has “evaporated with the currency inflation.”

The blog post is a blatant exercise of scapegoating which reinforces a racist discourse among its readers. For example, it brings up the economic collapse but fails to mention any details about its causes, leaving its readers to rely on their own biases. Furthermore, Syrians are portrayed as beneficiaries and a reason for the collapse, which is another demonizing example for the purpose of evading accountability.

General Security Publishes List of Arrests, Entry/Exit, Work Visas disaggregated by nationality from Mid-April to Mid-May [here]

The General Security Office (GSO) published a breakdown of arrests, entry/exit, and work visas between mid-April and mid-May in the new issue of the GS journal released on June 2nd. Highlights included the following:

• Nearly 237 migrants and refugees were arrested and interrogated;
• 232 migrants and refugees were released from detention after interrogation;
• Around 3,132 work visas were granted to migrant workers mostly to Ethiopians, Kenyans and Sierra Leoneans. There is no information on how many of these work permits were granted to newcomers.
• 209,641 foreigners and migrants entered Lebanon compared to 204,662 who left in the said time period.