Haidar discusses workers’ demands, dental care coverage, and foreign labor rules
Labor Minister Mohammad Haidar held a series of meetings addressing social security coverage, foreign labor regulation and challenges facing several economic sectors.
Haidar received a delegation from the Beirut Order of Dentists, headed by Dr. Ziad Zeidan, to discuss extending National Social Security Fund (NSSF) coverage to basic dental care and treatment, particularly for children.
The minister pledged to refer the proposal to the NSSF Board of Directors for examination and a decision as soon as possible.
In a separate meeting, Haidar received Ghanaian Ambassador to Lebanon Solomon Barimah on a courtesy visit. Discussions focused on regulating Ghanaian employment in Lebanon and the possibility of concluding a bilateral memorandum of understanding between the two countries’ labor ministries to safeguard the rights of workers and employers.
Haidar also met representatives of the Federation of Bakery and Oven Syndicates in Lebanon, in the presence of representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Discussions centered on supporting the bakery sector through better regulation of foreign labor, particularly Syrian workers, as a means of helping stabilize bread prices and ease financial pressures on consumers amid Lebanon’s difficult economic conditions.
The minister separately met Ghobeiry Mayor Ahmad Al-Khansa to discuss cooperation between the ministry and municipality, including a proposed labor market study aimed at encouraging Lebanese citizens to seek employment across different sectors.
Haidar also received a delegation from the Tripoli Vegetable Market Workers’ Syndicate, headed by Shadi Al-Sayyed, to review challenges facing the sector.
In another meeting, he heard the demands and concerns of a delegation representing on-call employees at the Tripoli Water Authority, in the presence of Al-Sayyed.
