Limited renewal for UNIFIL employees and 600 Lebanese who occupy civil jobs

Tony Attia wrote in “Al -Watan Call”: The number of Lebanese employees in “UNIFIL” is more than 600 people, who occupy various civilian jobs that include administrative support, logistical services, translation, and maintenance, in addition to other roles supporting the international mission. In turn, they are divided into categories that differ according to their degrees and years of work. Their monthly salaries range between $ 2,500 and 5 thousand dollars or more. They get additional advantages such as health insurance, transportation compensation, and contribute to retirement plans, making work with UNIFIL an attractive option for many Lebanese. In light of the deterioration of the Lebanese economy and the national currency, and the high unemployment rates, these salaries constituted great support for the local economy and social and social solidarity, and the support of employees to their families and relatives.

In this context, well -informed sources told the “Call of the National” that the decision to renew for workers in “UNIFIL” will be for a period of six months, with the possibility of renewing for a similar period only once, which means that the possible work period will not exceed the full year. It is expected during the coming first months that the number of international forces soldiers will be reduced by up to 30 %, in addition to a similar reducing in the numbers of civilians working within “UNIFIL”.
The sources pointed out that the beginning of last week witnessed the introduction of the “UNIFIL” leadership to its Lebanese employees who exceeded the age of sixty years, in addition to their legal rights guaranteed by its approved labor laws, in exchange for ending their service voluntarily and facilitated. She pointed out that this offer was accepted by the acceptance of about 100 Lebanese employees, which reflects the desire of a segment of retirement workers and benefiting from the financial compensation provided, in light of the state of ambiguity that surrounds the continuation of the tasks of “UNIFIL” and future decisions related to it. These measures come at a time when fears are increasing from possible negative effects on the reality of southerners, especially in light of the difficult economic conditions that Lebanon is going through, which adds a humanitarian and social dimension to these administrative decisions.