Conflict Incident Report

A protest was held at the Khodr Fleifel Industrial Company’s office in Khaldeh by employees and members of the National Federation of Worker and Employee Trade Unions in Lebanon (FENASOL).

The trade union issued a statement saying that employees are owed wages and other forms of compensation such as transportation and education allowances. The statement added that workers will escalate their protests and hold sit-ins at all the company’s branches if they are not paid.

Fleifel co-owner Ahmad Fleifel said that around 30 of the company’s 55 Lebanese employees were involved in the strike. He disputed their allegations, saying the issue has been blown out of proportion. He explained that workers paid weekly had seen their check delayed because some clients had not paid their bill yet. He added that some protesters had threatened fellow workers who did not join the strike.

After an a nearly fortnight-long sit-in, workers at the furniture company owned by Abbas Fleifel reached an agreement with the Labor Ministry, ending their protest over inconsistent payment of wages.

The employees were also protesting the lack of paid leave and benefits, such as education grants. They refused to work and demonstrated in front of the Labor Ministry demanding that they intervene on their behalf.

FENASOL president Castro Abdullah met with director-general of the Labor Ministry George Ida and Abbas Fleifel. During the meeting they reached a five-point agreement plan. The agreement stated that the sit-it would be suspended, the workers would go back to work and be paid weekly, and Fleifel will withdraw the criminal complaint against his workers. It also stipulated that Fleifel has one month to provide his workers with benefits.