BEIRUT // Kamil Saleman, a young man in his 30s, decided to return to Lebanon from the US in the wake of the 2008 economic crisis - but faced a hard homecoming.
The holder of a BS degree in computer science and an MBA from a US university, he had five years of experience in financial IT and consulting. This year, he spent six months looking for a job in Lebanon.
"I attended job fairs and sent my resume out to various companies and every single Lebanese bank. I was only interviewed by one consulting company. Many recruiters felt I was overqualified," he says. Mr Saleman has since returned to the US, where he is back on the jobs market.
In Lebanon, the official unemployment rate is 9 per cent, which is considered relatively high across the board. In a country where no official population census - essential for any proper labour survey - has been conducted since 1936, however, the real unemployment problem is more complicated.
According to Nassib Ghobril, the head economist at Byblos Bank, Lebanon has avoided an official census for almost 75 years, with labour statistics resultingly, therefore, mere approximations.
Although there are no official figures regarding the size of the Lebanese workforce, Mr Ghobril estimates the banking sector employs about 16,500 people. According to World Travel Tourism Council, the tourism sector employs about 553,000 individuals, including those working in sub-sectors or on a seasonal basis. Information Internationalpoints out the industrial sector is made up of about 130,000 people.
The research company, however, conducted its own study in 2005. It estimated the jobless rate as high as 16.6 per cent. The census established at the time that 30,000 people joined the labour market every year. About 27 per cent of job seekers were able to find work, some 20 per emigrated and 53.4 per cent remained unemployed.
The Lebanese Economic Association's Jad Chaabanlast week stated unemployment in Lebanon affected "about 25 per cent of young people today".
For a large portion of the Lebanese population unable to find a job, emigration is the solution.
"Every year, 15,000 to 20,000 Lebanese leave the country, [mostly] young people, about half of all graduates," says Mr Chaaban
The labour situation is even more hopeless for the 300,000 Palestinian refugees residing in Lebanon, who face unemployment estimates as high as 60 per cent. Like Abed Awad, a Palestinian refugee with a physics major living in the southern Ain el Helweh camp, they areunable to travel to look for work because of their refugee status.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The Intruder
Director: Deon Taylor
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Michael Ealy, Meagan Good
One star
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)
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Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
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Abu Dhabi World Pro 2019 remaining schedule:
Wednesday April 24: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-6pm
Thursday April 25: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-5pm
Friday April 26: Finals, 3-6pm
Saturday April 27: Awards ceremony, 4pm and 8pm
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
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Disclaimer
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Kline, Lesley Manville
Rating: 4/5
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
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Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP
Group A
Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA
Group B
Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti
Group C
Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia
Group D
Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
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How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying