The United Nations stated that the Lebanese Parliament has approved a law that establishes a comprehensive pension system for public sector workers and reconstitutes the management of the National Social Security Fund. It mentioned in a statement, "Previous attempts spanning three decades to replace the end-of-service compensation system in Lebanon with a modern pension system were unsuccessful." It added, "Until recently, Lebanon was one of two countries in the Arab region without a plan that protects insured workers who enjoy long-term benefits upon retirement, death, or disability."
Furthermore, it noted, "The International Labour Organization provided extensive technical support to the relevant parliamentary committees, the National Social Security Fund, and workers' and employers' organizations in Lebanon to reach a consensus on the design of the scheme, its standards, and the formulation of the final text of the legislation adopted by the Parliament, ensuring its alignment with international labor standards for social security."
Dr. Ruba Jaradat, the Regional Director for Arab States at the International Labour Organization, said, "We congratulate all partners in Lebanon on achieving this historic milestone. At a time when Lebanon is suffering from unprecedented social and economic crises, the need to strengthen structural reforms is clearly possible and inevitable." She added, "Enhancing public social protection mechanisms and improving the performance of national institutions is crucial to ensure that economic recovery is accompanied by the strengthening of the urgently needed social justice," while highlighting "the cooperation with labor ministers who led this endeavor."
