Labor unions have long been a cornerstone of civil society, playing a vital role in advocating for workers’ rights. The labor movement in Lebanon officially took shape in the early 20th century, with the establishment of the first labor union in 1912 under Ottoman rule. This initial effort came through the formation of a union for railway workers and employees. During the French Mandate, as living costs soared, the “Railway Mutual Aid Association” demanded wage increases in both Lebanon and Syria. When their demands were ignored, workers went on strike, marking the country’s first labor protest. This movement later contributed to the formation of two political parties based on labor activism between 1921 and 1924.
With the end of the French Mandate and the declaration of Greater Lebanon, labor organization took a significant step forward. In 1944, the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers and Employees was established, bringing together 15 unions. This period saw a surge in labor and sector-wide strikes, including protests by electricity company employees and tobacco workers. In 1946, port workers joined the movement, demanding higher wages, which ultimately led the Parliament to pass Lebanon’s first labor law. Over the following years, unions continued their activism, pushing for social security, wage adjustments, and employment rights, culminating in the formation of the General Confederation of Lebanese Workers (CGTL) in 1958.
Despite the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War and the deep societal divisions that followed, unions maintained a significant role in labor activism. In fact, they played a direct part in challenging authorities and defending workers’ rights. One of the most notable moments came in 1992 when the CGTL organized nationwide protests against the devaluation of the national currency, leading to the resignation of the government.
However, since 1997, labor activism has been in decline. The increasing grip of political authorities over the CGTL has severely weakened its ability to fight for workers’ rights. Union leadership positions gradually fell under the control of ruling parties, undermining the very structure of labor representation in Lebanon. As a result, the Lebanese labor scene witnessed a near-total void in independent labor activism, which ruling parties quickly filled. Political factions, which are often the same ones governing the country, became the dominant force in union elections. Instead of functioning as independent entities advocating for workers’ rights, unions became yet another extension of Lebanon’s sectarian power-sharing system, used as tools for political maneuvering rather than genuine labor advocacy.
Before 2019, attempts by opposition groups to contest union elections remained limited in scale and impact. However, the October 17 Uprising reignited interest in union activism. Protesters came to realize that the movement lacked strong, independent unions capable of representing workers' interests and challenging the ruling elite. This awareness drove many to support candidates from opposition groups, reinvigorating labor elections as a battleground for change. This momentum translated into tangible victories, such as the election of opposition-backed candidate Melhem Khalaf as head of the Beirut Bar Association in 2019. The movement gained further traction in 2021 when “The Syndicate Revolts” coalition (النقابة تنتفض) swept the Engineers’ Syndicate elections, securing the leadership position and multiple council seats. However, despite these initial wins, opposition efforts quickly lost momentum due to the lack of sustained achievements. As divisions resurfaced and political infighting re-emerged, traditional parties regained their influence, once again tightening their grip on labor institutions.
While Lebanon’s labor movement has achieved significant milestones over the decades, it continues to face enormous challenges. Since the end of the civil war, political meddling has steadily eroded the independence of unions, weakening their ability to defend workers’ rights. Yet, the October 17 Uprising proved that union activism still holds the potential to challenge the status quo and advocate for workers’ interests.
The future of Lebanon’s labor movement hinges on its ability to reclaim its independence, foster unity among its ranks, and adopt new strategies to address the country’s economic and social crises. More importantly, it depends on whether workers themselves recognize the vital role of unions in protecting their rights and improving their working conditions. The road ahead remains long and difficult, but the possibility of reviving Lebanon’s labor movement and restoring its historical role in the fight for justice and equality remains within reach.
Back to blog articles
Despite the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War and the deep societal divisions that followed, unions maintained a significant role in labor activism. In fact, they played a direct part in challenging authorities and defending workers’ rights. One of the most notable moments came in 1992 when the CGTL organized nationwide protests against the devaluation of the national currency, leading to the resignation of the government.
However, since 1997, labor activism has been in decline. The increasing grip of political authorities over the CGTL has severely weakened its ability to fight for workers’ rights. Union leadership positions gradually fell under the control of ruling parties, undermining the very structure of labor representation in Lebanon. As a result, the Lebanese labor scene witnessed a near-total void in independent labor activism, which ruling parties quickly filled. Political factions, which are often the same ones governing the country, became the dominant force in union elections. Instead of functioning as independent entities advocating for workers’ rights, unions became yet another extension of Lebanon’s sectarian power-sharing system, used as tools for political maneuvering rather than genuine labor advocacy.
Before 2019, attempts by opposition groups to contest union elections remained limited in scale and impact. However, the October 17 Uprising reignited interest in union activism. Protesters came to realize that the movement lacked strong, independent unions capable of representing workers' interests and challenging the ruling elite. This awareness drove many to support candidates from opposition groups, reinvigorating labor elections as a battleground for change. This momentum translated into tangible victories, such as the election of opposition-backed candidate Melhem Khalaf as head of the Beirut Bar Association in 2019. The movement gained further traction in 2021 when “The Syndicate Revolts” coalition (النقابة تنتفض) swept the Engineers’ Syndicate elections, securing the leadership position and multiple council seats. However, despite these initial wins, opposition efforts quickly lost momentum due to the lack of sustained achievements. As divisions resurfaced and political infighting re-emerged, traditional parties regained their influence, once again tightening their grip on labor institutions.
While Lebanon’s labor movement has achieved significant milestones over the decades, it continues to face enormous challenges. Since the end of the civil war, political meddling has steadily eroded the independence of unions, weakening their ability to defend workers’ rights. Yet, the October 17 Uprising proved that union activism still holds the potential to challenge the status quo and advocate for workers’ interests.
The future of Lebanon’s labor movement hinges on its ability to reclaim its independence, foster unity among its ranks, and adopt new strategies to address the country’s economic and social crises. More importantly, it depends on whether workers themselves recognize the vital role of unions in protecting their rights and improving their working conditions. The road ahead remains long and difficult, but the possibility of reviving Lebanon’s labor movement and restoring its historical role in the fight for justice and equality remains within reach.
Track Orders
