Minimum Wage
Minimum wage is the minimum rate of payment that an employer must pay to an employee/worker. The national minimum wage rate is fixed by the Government, as per the recommendations of the tripartite Commission on the Cost of Living Index. The Commission is composed of two representatives, one from the government (Ministry of Labour), the workers and the employers.
The minimum wage rates are revised whenever economic circumstances warrant such revision. The amount of minimum wage is dependent on the nature of work; however, it must be sufficient to meet the basic needs of wage earners or salary earners (workers or employees) and their families.
The minimum wage applies to all workers, both salaried and wage-earners, of at least 20 years of age in both the public and private sectors, other than those specifically excluded. The excluded workers include domestic servants, workers in agricultural enterprises which are not connected to trade and industry, workers in family enterprises that engage solely family members, workers younger than 20 years of age, and casual or temporary workers in public administration.
Labour Inspectors have to ensure the application of legal provisions relevant to wages in Lebanon.
Any violation of law and its implementing decrees, and any person who obstructs or prevents a labour inspector from performing their duties , are punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.
Source: §7, 8, and 44-46, 107, 108, of Labour Code 1946, amended in 2025; §1-2 of Law No. 36/67 of May 1967 Concerning Minimum Wage Fixing
In order to check the recent minimum wage in Lebanon, please visit the web page: https://rawateb.org/lebanon/salary/minimum-wages
Regular Pay
Wage payment is regulated under the Labour Code. Wages may be paid in legal currency (Lebanese Pounds) or in-kind. Wage payment must be made at the work premises and on workdays.
Wages must be paid once a month to the employees (salary earners) and at least twice a month to the workers (wage earners).
As regards the piece-rated workers, they must receive a down payment every 15 days when the work lasts longer than 15 days. The actual payment date may be fixed by mutual agreement between the parties; however, a piece-rated worker must be paid within a fortnight (15 days) following the delivery of their agreed piece of work.
The “workbook”, depending on the worker/employee’s desire, may mention their daily, weekly or monthly wage or salary.
The following deductions from wages are allowed under the law:
● the social security contributions and income tax contributions;
● disciplinary fines imposed on the employee (equivalent to a maximum of 3 days’ wages);
● the repayment of debts to a third party, based on a court ruling; and
● Sums payable for the repair or replacement of tools, machines, products or materials that have been lost, damaged or destroyed because of the employee/worker’s fault or negligence or breach of the employer's instructions (equivalent to maximum of 3 days’ wages).
An employer with at least 15 workers or employees must frame internal regulations. Although the law has not stipulated the content of such internal regulations, these generally include the rules of procedure regarding the work organisations, working hours and rest breaks, paid vacations, wage payment method, revision of wages, various allowances, as well as health and safety conditions at the workplace.
There is no mandatory provision in law for a 13th or 14th month pay or a compulsory bonus. However, an employer may voluntarily provide a bonus based on employment contracts, collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), company policies or discretionary awards.
Source: §14, 47 and 68-71 of the Labour Code 1946, amended in 2025
