The Lebanese Labor Ministry launched a campaign Monday to organize foreign employment in the country.
Labor Minister Mohammad Kabbara instructed the ministry's inspection department to survey foreign laborers at local and foreign companies.
He ordered the team to carry out thorough and strict inspections regarding the workers' permits.
Lebanese authorities have been pushing for tighter regulations on Syrian labor in the country, warning that the mass influx of workers could lead to higher rates of unemployment among the Lebanese population.
Lebanon’s economy and infrastructure have been heavily impacted by the Syrian conflict and the resulting surge of refugees. There are currently 1.1 million Syrian refugees registered in Lebanon with the U.N. refugee agency, although the Lebanese government estimates the figure to be around 1.5 million.
The ministry called on violators to abide by the law and enforced provisions by quickly rectifying the conditions of foreign workers within their institutions.
It warned that legal measures would be taken against violators, which could result in the closure of the institution.
Former Labor Minister Sejaan Azzi had continuously lashed out at local and international for laying off around 10,000 Lebanese in favor of "foreigners."
Refugees and foreign workers tend to accept significantly lower wages than Lebanese citizens.
