Conflict Incident Report

North Lebanon truck drivers protested against what they called the competition of Syrian drivers, state media reported.

Pick-up truck drivers parked their vehicles on the Tripoli-Homs international highway in Abdeh in the district of Akkar to demand the implementation of laws and ministerial decrees that would limit jobs currently being filled by foreigners to a pre-defined list.

“Some companies are hiring Syrian drivers for trucks owned by Lebanese,” a protester said, adding that this has left around 400 Lebanese drivers unemployed.

The protesters, who said their demonstration was symbolic, threatened to escalate their actions if their problems were not addressed by state officials.

Thousands of Syrians have fled the ongoing war in Syria since 2011, many of whom have been forced to work to protect their livelihood as they receive minimal donations from NGOs.

UNHCR estimates around 1.01 million Syrian refugees are currently living in Lebanon.

In addition to the refugees, many Syrians are legal residents who are allowed to work from a pre-defined list of professions issued by the Ministry of Labor, to avoid foreign competition to the local labor force.

Refugees are required to sign notarized pledges barring them from work in Lebanon when registering for residency permits. However, many end up financially exploited by employers and accept underpaid jobs.