The Lebanese Observatory for the Rights of Workers and Employees- LOWER Inception, Objectives, Activities
A demonstration in Hamra Street 1970 protesting the increase in prices of movie tickets
Students sit-in early seventies
Demonstration protesting Intra Bank crisis
1974 The Bread Demonstration
Women’s protest in Furn El-Chebak
The trade union movement Dispersing An active syndicates, The onset of movement out casting the trade at the their leaders, union before beginning of neutralizing independence the civil war their role, 1920 1920-1930 1930 1975 1975-1990 1990 1990 1990 …
The current status of the trade union movement Inadequate The growing union skills Inactive phenomenon of Weak knowledge and day workers and role of of human rights information trade contractors and commitment among the unions following the among syndicate working decision to stop leaderships force recruitment in the public sector Increased Neutralization A Buildup of dependence of the Made-up neutralized court files in accountability trade unions role of the on human recruitment and with no socio- rights on the regulatory effective economic sectarian institutions members council leader
The current status of the workers’ movement Rise in the Inadequate laws Trade unions Workers and number of and regulations comprising less youth mostly foreign that do not support than 5% of unfamiliar with workers with the economic and laborers from their basic rights total disregard social rights of the all sectors of their basic working and middle rights which income classes creates unjust Lower job Frequent conditions to prospects, increase violations of the domestic in unemployment basic rights of labor force rate among youth, workers more jobs in informal sector
Birth of the LOWER • A number of zealous civil society activists and unionists, as well as teachers, lawyers and others, agreed to set up the observatory in 2010 as an independent civil association. • Observatory members advocate the values of justice, freedom and equality and are committed to principles supported by all international conventions, declarations and agreements on human rights, particularly, the International Convention for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, in addition to recommendations set by the International Labor Organization as a benchmark for practice and vision.
Message We seek to build a non-sectarian society, governed by the principles of citizenship and a just democratic civil state, where citizens fully enjoy their economic, social and political rights equally and without discrimination
Methodology The Observatory seeks to deliver the following: knowledge and awareness on the rights of workers and employees; capacity building and methods of confrontation; monitoring and following up of related social, civil and economic policies; monitoring and challenging violations of those rights and legislations, and defending them in coordination with local and international associations concerned. The Observatory also works on developing national laws in compliance with the principles of the International Labor Organization and social and economic justice.
Methodology The Observatory seeks to deliver the following: knowledge and awareness on the rights of workers and employees; capacity building and methods of confrontation; monitoring and following up of related social, civil and economic policies; monitoring and challenging violations of those rights and legislations, and defending them in coordination with local and international associations concerned. The Observatory also works on developing national laws in compliance with the principles of the International Labor Organization and social and economic justice.
Methodology Tools Scopes of work Convey knowledge Media Information website/awareness publications, films/ network of friend reporters Capacity building Training, advocacy Training on rights/young unionists/advocacy on human rights/ training of arbitrary council members Monitoring Violations, policies Monitoring network in the regions/network network of partner communities/ network of partner activists Legal support Stand for, advocate Consulting /partner lawyer firm/advocacy, individual, group support cases Studies, debates Develop legislations Studies on socio-economic situation/annual report/monitoring of policies/meetings, debates
Main achievements, activities of f Observ rvatory ry 2010 2010-2015 2015
Convey knowledge Capacity building Monitoring of policies Stand for and advocate Develop national legislations Develop studies
ePortal Number of hits exceeded 5 million guests since 2012 www.le .lebaneselw lw.com
Production of awareness films Awareness films aired on local TV stations on May Day Emergency work Pregnant women Arbitrary layout Film depicting fresh graduates’ experience in labor market “A thread and a needle” film on women sewing workers Four films on labor contracts: definition, permanent contract, consultation work, temporary contract Two posters
Production of awareness materials (films)
Production of awareness material (handbook) Laborcontracts: a handbook targeting university and college graduates defining in simple terms the legal issues to be noted in labor contracts, Handbook on the labor arbitration council (still under construction) Many articles aided with pictures on role and mechanism of the labor arbitration council, with description of the labor and social security legislations
Production of awareness materials (publications)
Network of friend journalists Creation of a network of journalists, economic and educational editors in various media channels across Lebanon Organizing introductory meeting on the observatory, other networks monitoring violations of economic and social rights Cooperation between media people and journalists to promote and broadcast press releases, announcements by observatory and exchange data
convey knowledge Capacity building Monitoring of policies Stand for and advocate Develop national legislations Develop studies
Training of Reporters Training of 130 activists/individuals on labor and social security related laws in preparation for setting up a national network for monitoring violations (2012-2013) Training of 50 activists working in Palestinian camps to monitor work violations
Training of Workers Reps (at Labor Arbitration Councils ) A meeting with Judge Arlette Jreisati for consultation and legal advice in preparation for training of workers reps at arbitration councils
Convey knowledge Building capacities Monitor violations and policies Stand for and advocate Develop national legislations Develop Studies
Network of monitoring in regions Set up monitoring networks in the regions comprising partner associations, syndicates and organizations. These networks are channels for receiving the workers’ complaints (reporters are mediators) Publish periodical reports monitoring activities of the labor movement (3 annual reports 2012-2013-2014) The network provides media coverage for the regions, advocacy for workers The network of reporters write periodical reports and articles on our website
Convey knowledge Capacity building Monitoring violations and policies Stand for and advocate Develop national legislations Develop studies
Advocacy Advocate and support human rights issues A support and advocacy meeting with Cadbury workers, providing them with information/knowledge, expertise in group negotiations Training of member of Spiennys workers’ syndicate, supporting them in holding elections Provide media support for various labor actions, stands
Advocacy P ublishing articles on the Observatory’s ePortal which serves as a tool of accountability and support for the popular movements demands, namely in the issues of electricity, public administration and the national drug department, in addition to films about day workers, marine and coastal law
Legal Consultation Provide hundreds of consultations annually for grieved workers and employees online or by phone
convey knowledge capacity building monitoring policies Stand for and advocate Develop national legislations Develop studies
Develop legislations, laws Prepare the ground for legal measures to modify the mechanism and increase efficiency of the labor arbitration councils Organize a dialogue workshop with judges, unionists/ the Legal Agenda team on the mechanism of above councils and the role of labor ministry, with the participation of lawyers, unionists and arbitration council members. The workshop identified points of weakness and issued relevant recommendations Organize wide follow-up sessions with unionists, legal figures and activists to draw recommendations for the required modifications
Convey knowledge Capacity building Monitoring policies Stand for and advocate Develop legislations Develop studies
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