Libya’s outgoing national government estimated the proportion of expatriate workers at about two million and 100,000 workers.
Reports indicate that the economic and social conditions in Libya since 2011 have led citizens to compete with foreigners in jobs they did not previously accept.
Fruit and vegetable trader Ismail al-Sharif says the mentality of Libyans has changed dramatically, with many resorting to self-employment instead of government work.
Commercial workers point to challenges with migrant workers, many of whom work without formal licenses and in some cases receive higher wages than nationals.
In this context, some small traders demand the existence of labor pricing controls and regulations, especially in areas that rely heavily on expatriate workers.
At the level of government measures, Ali al-Abed, Minister of Labor, and Rehabilitation in the Interim Government of National Unity, stresses the importance of settling the situation of expatriate workers and organizing their work effectively.
Turkish-Egyptian talks in Ankara to support stability in Libya