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Refugees asked to promise not to work
[Beirut Daily Star] Aid organizations have expressed concern...meaning the brow was mildly wrinkled, the eyebrows drawn slightly together, and a thoughtful expression assumed, not that anything was actually done or indeed that any thought was actually expended... over General Security's new residency renewal measures for Syrian nationals, especially a provision requiring registered refugees to pledge not to work. Aid agencies were informed about the measures, which have not been publicized by General Security, in an internal memorandum circulated earlier this year that went into effect Jan. 5. The document, which was acquired by The Daily Star, lists nine different categories for Syrian nationals to legalize their stay in Leb. Notably, it draws a distinction between Syrian nationals registered with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and those outside its purview. Refugees seeking to renew their residencies for this year must provide the General Security with a written pledge not to work, a fee of $200, a copy of their UNHCR registration document, a housing pledge, which typically requires a notarized declaration from a mukhtar who may charge for the service and valid ID. Other categories of Syrian nationals, who are legally permitted to work, must find a Lebanese sponsor to assume responsibility for them throughout their stay, a housing pledge and the $200 fee. The required pledge not to work is raising concerns among Syrian refugees, the majority of whom do resort to some form of informal labor to make ends meet. Posted by: Fred 2015-03-17 |
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