“Lebanon Debate”
The president-elect to head the Board of Directors of the National Social Security Fund and the head of the General Labor Union, Bechara Al-Asmar, confirmed that the next stage will witness a broad workshop within Social Security, which includes re-evaluating a number of basic files, working to implement the Retirement and Social Protection Law, in addition to improving services, hospitalization, medical care, and addressing compensation conditions.
In an interview with Lebanon Debate, in response to a question about whether he would remain president of the General Labor Union or fulfill the Minister of Labor’s desire to hold new elections, Al-Asmar explained that the Minister of Labor expressed his desire to hold elections within the union, and what must happen in this context will happen, stressing that he will move to calling for elections as soon as possible.
Al-Asmar said that the goal is “to hold elections in the General Labor Union to choose the appropriate man for this stage,” noting that the elections will not be limited to the position of president, but rather will be comprehensive, and include the office of the union, in accordance with approved procedures.
Regarding preparations for the elections, Al-Asmar denied the existence of serious contacts yet regarding consensus or the formation of electoral lists, saying that it is still early, and that he is waiting a little after the guarantee elections that took place to move to the electoral eligibility in the Labor Union.
An extensive workshop in social security
Al-Asmar touched on the next stage in the National Social Security Fund, expressing his hope that the new stage will bring positive results, especially in terms of implementing existing laws, especially the Retirement and Social Protection Law.
He pointed out the need to re-evaluate the basic stages of the guarantee, stressing that “guarantee funds must be considered excellent debts,” and that the state must carry out its duties and return the money owed to the fund, allowing it to regain its ability to move and increase the scope of its services.
He explained that this must be reflected in increasing the services provided to the insured, improving the level of hospitalization and medical care, in addition to reconsidering a number of files that need to be addressed.
Compensation of insured persons and rights of retirees
In this context, Al-Asmar stressed the need to re-evaluate the compensation received by workers who left work between 2016 and 2024, considering that they were “very wronged” as a result of the significant decline in the value of compensation.
He pointed out that some of the insured have not yet received their compensation, stressing that this file will be among the files that must be worked on in the next stage, whether through Social Security or the General Labor Union.
Mechanization and enhancement of human resources
Al-Asmar also spoke about the need for an integrated workshop within Social Security, which includes mechanization and facilitation of work processes and administrative procedures, in addition to addressing the significant shortage in human resources.
He said that the guarantee “complains of a significant weakness in human resources,” as there is a great need for reemployment, which contributes to improving performance and facilitating the transactions of the guaranteed.
He added that the next stage requires a broad workshop in social security, expressing his hope to reach an “acceptable level of success” in addressing the issues raised.
