Beirut, 1 June 2023--In Lebanon, the female labour force participation rate is less than 28% - approximately a third of the male rate. This is because women undertake 94% of childcare responsibilities, which limits their chances of pursuing a career. These are some of the key findings of a legal study issued today by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) on the feasibility of implementing flexible work arrangements in Lebanon.
ESCWA conducted the study at the request of the Women and Children Parliamentary Committee, to introduce various types of flexible work arrangements which are lacking in the Lebanese labour law. The findings were presented during an event in Parliament, where Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, ESCWA Executive Secretary Rola Dashti and Labour Minister Mustafa Bayram gave speeches.
On behalf of Speaker Berri, Chair of the Women and Children Parliamentary Committee Inaya Ezzeddine said that introducing flexibility in the labour law would create a balance between labour market requirements and protecting workers' rights. She added that the law would provide a legal framework for companies to implement flexible work arrangements adapted to their needs and those of the market, thus allowing them to use human resources more efficiently and adapt to economic developments.
Flexible work options can vary according to time and location, and include remote work; part-time work; the flexibility to move from full-time to part-time employment; flexible work hours; flexible shifts; temporary work; shared jobs; and compressed work weeks.
In her statement, Dashti emphasized the importance of drafting and ratifying legal texts which regulate the care sector. She also stressed the need to amend the labour law to include flexible work arrangements so women can balance their careers and their domestic responsibilities, and shed light on the law's role in achieving economic growth.
Based on the results of the study, Ezzeddine submitted a proposal to introduce amendments to the Lebanese labour law which include flexible work arrangements, in order to reduce the burden of unpaid care work on women, to encourage their economic participation and improve gender equality.
Iman Khazaal, representing Labour Minister Mustafa Bayram, mentioned that the laws were drafted by the ministry following the shortcomings of current laws, and given how technology is impacting the world of work. She also emphasized that the Ministry supported any approach to amend the labour law, as it would bring about positive change.
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About ESCWA
One of five United Nations regional commissions, ESCWA supports inclusive and sustainable economic and social development in Arab States, and works on enhancing regional integration.
