BEIRUT: Palestinian refugees working in Lebanon are now eligible to receive indemnity benefits, Lebanon’s National Social Security Fund has announced.
A memo issued by NSSF director-general Mohammad Karaki said end-of-service compensation for Palestinian workers would now be calculated based on length of time worked from September 2, 2010.
The memo dated May 23, 2011 said, however, that Palestinian workers would not benefit from the NSSF’s health or maternity care or family allowances.
EU estimates put the number of Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon at around 280,000, below the official registered number of 400,000.
The announcement comes as the NSSF is experiencing financial difficulties. General Labor Confederation chief Ghassan Ghosn rebuked the Finance Ministry Monday for allegedly exposing the government-run health insurance agency to gross neglect.
He also repeated earlier allegations that the ministry owes up to $11 billion in government expenditures that they have erased from accounting books.
NSSF funds have been leaked out, adding to the ministry’s cumulative debt, Ghosn said. The labor chief’s comments came during a ceremony honoring retired employees at the fund.