On Friday, 14 November 2025, the Radisson Blu Hotel in Verdun hosted a dissemination event on the Guidelines on Access to Labor and Creation of Decent Work, organized within the TESSA Project, funded by Italy, with the support of Mr. Yasser Akkaoui, TESSA Consultant. The event brought together governmental institutions, NGOs, and key stakeholders to discuss strategies for promoting inclusive labor access and advancing decent work opportunities in Lebanon.
The event opened with introductory remarks by Mr. Mario Goraieb, Energy and Private Sector Program Manager at ICU, who highlighted TESSA’s role in improving access to the labor market for trained individuals through vocational training conducted in partnership with the Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Zahle and Saida, emphasizing contributions to job creation and placement.
Representatives from the Chambers, Mrs. Rana El Sayed and Mrs. Paulette Chlela, showcased their achievements throughout the TESSA Project, including vocational training, practical training using machinery supplied by the project, soft skills sessions, paid internships, and job placement. They highlighted how the internship program facilitated access to the labor market and, in several cases, led to employment opportunities for outstanding trainees.
Mr. Roy Doumit, Economist at UN-ESCWA, presented the ESCWA Skills Monitor (ESM) as part of The Future of Work Initiative in the Arab Region. He explained how real-time labor market data helps identify skill trends, guide reskilling, support inclusive employment, and prepare the workforce for AI and green transitions.
Mrs. Rima Freiji, President of the Lebanese Private Sector Network (LPSN), outlined the organization’s mission to protect the formal economy and promote sustainable growth. She explained their strategy, which includes engaging with policymakers, opinion leaders, and private sector changemakers; advocating for the formal economy and influencing policy; and building professional capacity through networking, education, and impactful events.
Mr. Yasser Akkaoui presented a comprehensive overview of Lebanon’s labor market challenges, including the economic crisis, outdated labor law, and rapid digitization and automation. He recommended that reforms be built on three pillars:
- Coordinated public action and social protection
- Private sector leadership in training, job creation, and ESG adoption
- Diaspora integration through cross-border job platforms
He proposed both short- and long-term measures, including reducing NSSF employer contributions to encourage hiring of youth, women, and long-term unemployed; introducing a one-time voucher scheme to incentivize businesses to create jobs; establishing a digital job registration portal (implemented through the Job Portal of the Zahle Chamber under TESSA); and prioritizing MSMEs in public procurement to generate formal jobs and ensure government spending directly supports employment and skills development.
For sustainable improvements, he stressed the importance of restructuring the labor code, clarifying flexible and remote work regulations, aligning policies with international standards, and establishing a national Labor Market Information System (LMIS) to provide policymakers and educators with real-time data to better align training programs with labor market needs.
The event also included presentations by the Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Zahle and Saida, which showcased the results achieved during the TESSA Project, including vocational training, paid internships, and job placement, highlighting the usefulness of the tools and machinery provided by the project.
Finally, Roy Doumit illustrated how the ESCWA Skills Monitor leverages real-time data to guide reskilling, support inclusive employment, and prepare the workforce for digital and green transitions.
The event concluded with a networking lunch, fostering collaboration and dialogue among stakeholders, and reinforcing the collective efforts required to build a modern, resilient, and inclusive labor market in Lebanon.
