Lebanon: Foreign workers must take yearly tuberculosis tests
BEIRUT: Foreign workers will now be subject to annual health tests due to the high prevalence of tuberculosis among migrant workers and Syrian refugees, said a memo issued by Labor Minister Sejaan Azzi Monday.
The memo said it would still be mandatory “for every
foreign worker who intends to work in Lebanon to undergo
tuberculosis skin tests and chest X-rays during the first week
of arrival.”
But foreign workers will now also
be required to undergo skin and X-ray examinations upon the
renewal of their work permits, it said. The implementation of
the decision is set for Sept. 3.
Requests for
first-time work permits will not be addressed before the results
are issued by a state-owned public hospital. In the case of a
positive test, a work permit will not be issued before the
patient is reviewed by a tuberculosis center.
Source:
The Daily Star
