The International Labour Organization (ILO), with funding[CC1.1] from the European Union, has launched the Mainstreaming Employment into Trade and Investment (METI) project in Lebanon to help ensure that trade and investment contribute more directly to productive employment and decent work.
The project responds to a central policy challenge: trade, investment and employment policies do not automatically translate into more or better jobs when they are designed and implemented separately. METI will support national institutions including ministries, employers' and workers' organizations to better understand and assess the employment effects of economic policies, strengthen coordination and use evidence to shape interventions that can improve both the quantity and quality of employment.
The project was launched at a meeting in Beirut attended by representatives of the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Economy and Trade, the Ministry of Industry, the Association of Lebanese Industrialists, the General Confederation of Lebanese Trade Unions (CGTL), the National Federation of Workers and Employees Trade Unions in Lebanon (FENASOL), and research partners. The meeting also marked the establishment of the Policy Working Group, which will bring these stakeholders together to guide the project's work in Lebanon.
In her opening remarks, Claire Courteille-Mulder, Deputy Regional Director and Director of the ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for Arab States, emphasized the importance of placing employment at the heart of economic policymaking as Lebanon pursues recovery and structural transformation.
© ILO/ Haytham Chammas
"Trade and investment are key drivers of economic and labour market outcomes. They influence which sectors and enterprises can grow, where investment flows, the types and quality of the jobs created, and the skills and qualifications needed."," Courteille-Mulder said. "As Lebanon works towards economic recovery, METI offers rigorous evidence-based policy analysis, social dialogue and practical interventions to help maximise the job impact of trade and investment and support an inclusive and sustainable recovery."
Courteille-Mulder also stressed that achieving these objectives requires close collaboration between government institutions and social partners. The newly established Policy Working Group will provide a platform for this cooperation throughout the implementation of the project, making sure that interventions remain responsive to national priorities.
© ILO/ Haytham Chammas
Cyril Dewaleyne, Deputy Head of Cooperation and Team Leader of Economy, Green Deal and Local Development at the European Union Delegation to Lebanon, reaffirmed the European Union's long-term commitment to supporting Lebanon's economic recovery, emphasizing that trade and investment should ultimately deliver tangible benefits for people.
"Economic recovery must ultimately be measured by its ability to create quality jobs, particularly for young women and men. Trade and investment are important drivers of growth, but growth alone is not enough. Through METI, we want to help ensure that policy choices are grounded in evidence and translate into productive enterprises, more competitive sectors and decent employment opportunities," Dewaleyne said.
"Partnership will be essential to achieving this. The Policy Working Group provides an important platform for government, employers' and workers' organizations to work together, build shared ownership and move from analysis towards concrete action. We greatly appreciate the commitment of our Lebanese partners to this process," he added.
From policy potential to employment impact
METI aims to support the translation of trade and investment policy opportunities into better employment outcomes. In Lebanon, the project will combine capacity development, policy dialogue and evidence-based analysis to identify a priority export-oriented sector or value chain with employment potential. Working with national stakeholders, METI will support the development of practical recommendations and a sectoral action plan addressing key trade, investment and employment angles.
Building national capacity
Strengthening national capacity is central to METI's approach. The project will help equip relevant institutions and social partners with tools to better assess the employment implications of trade and investment policies and develop evidence-based policy recommendations
By strengthening capacities, tools and coordination mechanisms, METI aims to support more coherent policymaking and improve stakeholders' ability to assess employment outcomes associated with trade and investment policies over time.
Supporting enterprises and workers
Based on the sector and needs identified through the project's analytical work, METI will support targeted measures for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and workers. Skills development will be supported where specific skills gaps are identified in selected export-oriented activities.
Particular attention will be given to women and young people. By integrating employment quality, skills needs, gender equality and formalization considerations into its analysis and interventions, METI will seek to promote inclusive access to decent work opportunities.
Promoting regional exchange and integration
Lebanon's participation forms part of the wider METI II programme across the Southern Mediterranean. The regional dimension provides opportunities for policymakers and social partners to exchange knowledge and experiences, identify relevant good practices, and explore potential linkages across regional value chains.
These exchanges are intended to complement national-level work and contribute, where opportunities exist, to greater market diversification, value-chain upgrading and economic resilience, while maintaining a focus on employment and social inclusion.
