Minimum Wage
Minimum wage is the minimum rate of payment that an employer must pay to the 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 each of 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 salary and wage-earners, of at least 20 years of age in both the public and private sector 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 engaging solely family members, workers younger than 20 years of age, and casual or temporary workers in public administration.
Source: §7, 8, and 44-46 of Labour Code 1946, amended in 2010; §1-2 of Law No. 36/67 of May 1967 Concerning Minimum Wage Fixing
For updated minimum wage rates, please refer to the section on minimum wage.
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 in the work premises and on work days.
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 down payment on account of 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 “work book”, depending on the worker/employee’s desire, may mentiontheir 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 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 law has not stipulated the content of such internal regulations, these generally include the rule of procedure regarding the work organizations, 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.
Source: §14, 47 and 68-71of Labour Code 1946, amended in 2010
