Conflict Incident Report

Thousands of Lebanese marched in Beirut to mark Labor Day and to demand better working conditions as the country tries to cope with the presence of 1.5 million Syrian refugees and is struggling to revive its ailing economy.

"No for corruption," one banner read.

Around 5,000 protesters joined the demonstrations that was organized by the National Federation of Workers’ and Employees’ Trade Unions (FENASOL), the Domestic Workers’ Union in Lebanon and the Lebanese Communist Party.

"We want to make our voices heard. They [politicians] are trying to steal it," a protester said.

"Change will come and we will triumph," he added.

Protesters began rallying in Beirut's Wata Mousaitbe at 11:00 a.m. before converging on Beirut's Riad al-Solh Square, where a central demonstration was held.

A little girl, who was taking part in the rally with her father, said that "workers' rights will be met."

Lebanon is currently hosting 1.1 million Syrians registered with the UNHCR, though the Lebanese government estimated numbers might be closer to 2 million. Such a stark population increase is at the heart of the Lebanon's concerns over the impact on the labor market.

Lebanon has been increasingly tightening residency rules for Syrian nationals. When registering residency permits, refugees must sign notarized pledges not to work in Lebanon. Some Syrians have also been asked to sign documents promising to return to their country of origin once their permit in Lebanon expires.

"We want to celebrate the occasion and remind of our rights," a protester said.

He criticized the politicians over their rift on reaching a new electoral law "to guarantee their rights."

"Where are the rights of the people, workers, and the unemployed individuals?"

Be Ready to Challenge a New Extension

Communist Party leader Hanna Gharib addressed protesters by criticizing politicians.

"Lebanon is living a sectarian system crisis that represents the failure of the state and the ruling class in resolving the pressing social, economic and political crises that are pushing the Lebanese to immigrate," Gharib said.

He called for a capable government that could meet the aspirations of the Lebanese.

"Be ready on May 15 to prevent lawmakers from extending their terms," Gharib said, blasting the electoral law proposals that "only aim to renew their tenures."

He renewed calls for a proportional with Lebanon as a single constituency.

Political rivals remain at odds over a new electoral law ahead of a May 15 deadline to avert a new lengthy extension of Parliament’s term and set the stage for elections later this year.

The May 15 deadline has spurred the rival factions to step up their meetings in an attempt to reach an agreement on a new vote law to govern the upcoming elections, the first since 2009 after Parliament’s four-year mandate was extended for another full term in 2013 and 2014 combined.

FENASOL’s head Castro Abdallah said at the rally that the union renews its firm commitment to defend the rights of laborers.

He lamented the sectarian political system in the country and the alliance between bankers and financial corporations.

"The corrupted group is seeking to push us to surrender ... by conspiring against us," he said.

"It's no longer acceptable to remain mum over the crimes committed against us."

Govt Priorities

Prime Minister Saad Hariri Monday vowed that his government will exert efforts to improve the markets in Lebanon and enhance living circumstances on the occasion of Labor Day.

Hariri, who saluted laborers in a statement, hoped that the coming few months witness dissolution to the problems and difficulties that workers are passing through.

Hariri said that his Cabinet was seeking to reduce the sufferings of the workers by taking a number of measures that decrease the competition in the market, to revive the economy, increase investments, increase jobs and prioritize the new wage scale.