At the heart of European assistance to Lebanon, Lebanese access to seasonal work

“In agreement with the European Union, and with Lebanon's accession to the law grouping countries hosting Syrian refugees, the Lebanese will have the opportunity to migrate to EU countries as seasonal workers,” announced caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on May 2, following the visit to Lebanon of European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, accompanied by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides.

This statement was made against a backdrop of increased smuggling of Syrian nationals into Cyprus, many of them from the Lebanese coast, which created a stir and triggered the anger of the prime minister's detractors. Leading the way was MP Gebran Bassil, leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, who denounced a “masked gradual emigration” of Lebanese, and several MPs from the protest movement who denounced “a bribe.”

This announcement was accompanied by Von der Leyen's announcement of $1 billion in aid to Lebanon to stem the flow of refugees to Europe through smuggling networks. The press and many Lebanese officials interpreted these funds as a way of “bribing” the authorities to keep Syrian refugees and migrants, who number over one and a half million according to official estimates, in Lebanon. This interpretation was denied by a Western diplomatic source at L'Orient-Le Jour and, on several occasions, by Mikati.

Seasonal work for foreign nationals in the EU

“The EU's $1 billion assistance package for Lebanon will enable Lebanese nationals to access seasonal work in EU countries and benefit from the facilities granted to foreign workers,” government circles confirmed to L'Orient-Le Jour. “For Lebanese workers, this is a godsend, given the high rate of unemployment and the current crisis, which is driving some of the most disadvantaged Lebanese to emigrate illegally,” they maintain, referring to the case of some twenty Lebanese incarcerated in Cyprus for illegal entry into its territory. “There is no question of facilitating permanent immigration or allowing displaced Syrians to settle here,” they added.

Agreements on seasonal work already exist between Brussels and a number of non-EU partner countries, including those around the Mediterranean (Egypt, Morocco, etc.) and countries hosting Syrian refugees (Jordan, Turkey, etc.). They are designed to support both professional sectors (agriculture, construction, etc.) in need of manpower in EU countries and developing countries with high levels of unemployment. By way of example, seasonal Moroccan workers are in demand in Spain, not only for the olive harvest but also in other sectors. At the end of the harvest, these workers must return home. Compliance with these instructions will determine their future temporary employment.

The EU assistance agreement for Lebanon aims “to support basic services such as education, health, social protection and water for the most vulnerable people in Lebanon, including refugees, internally displaced persons [due to the current conflict in southern Lebanon] and host communities,” according to a press release issued by the European Commission in Lebanon. It also intends to “support urgent national reforms, in particular those requested by the International Monetary Fund, notably in the banking sector, in order to help improve the economic situation and the business environment” against the backdrop of a serious financial crisis since 2019. It also aims to support “border and migration management, including the fight against human trafficking and smuggling, as well as strengthening support for the Lebanese armed forces.”

Seasonal work by foreign nationals within the EU is governed by “Directive 2014/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the European Council of Feb. 26, 2014. It establishes “the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of employment as seasonal workers,” according to the European Parliament's official website. Under this framework, “migrant seasonal workers may, while maintaining their main place of residence in a third country, reside legally and temporarily in the Union for a maximum period varying from five to nine months (depending on the Member State) to carry out an activity subject to the rhythm of the seasons.” The directive also specifies “all the rights to which these migrant workers are entitled.”

This article originally appeared in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.