I. Current Situation

• When foreign workers leave their workplace, employers file an "absconding" complaint with the competent Public Prosecutor's Office. Based on this complaint, judicial investigations are conducted by the General Security regional offices, leading to the issuance of an "Absconding Notice" against the foreign national in order to release the sponsor (employer) from responsibility.

II. Decision

• Applications concerning "Leaving the Workplace" submitted by employers regarding their foreign workers (formerly known as an Absconding Notice) shall be accepted through an administrative procedure, without the need for a referral from the Public Prosecutor or the opening of a judicial investigation, unless the incident is associated with a criminal offence (such as theft, breaking and entering, assault and battery, etc.).

III. Implementation

• 31. Applications for Release from Responsibility relating to foreign workers leaving their workplace shall be submitted by means of an administrative application at the regional offices using the approved form, which shall include the following information:
• 3.11 Employer's personal information, residential address, and workplace.
• 3.12 Foreign worker's personal information and workplace.
• 3.13 The foreign worker's whereabouts, if known.
• 3.14 The worker's documents (passport and residence permit), if in the employer's possession, or copies thereof.
• 3.15 The applicant shall be informed that, if the worker's departure is associated with a criminal offence, a criminal complaint must be filed before the competent Public Prosecutor's Office and the applicant must report to the relevant unit of the Directorate General of the Internal Security Forces.
• 3.16 A declaration by the applicant confirming the accuracy and truthfulness of the facts and information provided, under penalty of the application being deemed null and void if they are subsequently found to be false or fictitious.
• 3.17 A section dedicated to judicial record verification of the applicant and the employer, where they are not the same person (except for lawyers).
• 3.18 A section dedicated to judicial and administrative inquiries, as well as the foreign worker's latest recorded movement.
• 3.19 A section dedicated to the investigation report.

• 32 After the application has been completed and signed by the applicant, the inquiries referred to in paragraphs 3.17 and 3.18 above shall be carried out, and their results shall be attached to the application and recorded in the designated section of the form.
   

IV. General Provisions

• 4.1 A complaint regarding Leaving the Workplace may be withdrawn by means of an administrative application (Director General's request) submitted by the employer or the employer's legally authorized representative to the regional office.
• 4.2 A sponsorship transfer executed before a Notary Public or before the General Security in favor of another employer shall be considered as notification of the withdrawal of the Release from Responsibility complaint and may serve as the basis for cancelling the notice issued against the foreign worker.
• 4.3 The provisions previously applicable to Absconding Notices concerning the payment or exemption of fees during the period of leaving the workplace shall continue to apply when the worker is located or arrested for violating residence regulations, committing another offence, or transferring sponsorship to a new employer.
• 4.4 No certificate or copy of the complaint concerning a foreign worker leaving the workplace shall be issued to the employer for the purpose of recovering the deposited bank guarantee as long as the worker remains in hiding within Lebanese territory. Such certificate shall only be issued upon the worker's departure from Lebanon or deportation, in the form of a departure certificate.
• 4.5 With regard to the suspension of contributions to the National Social Security Fund for workers subject to a Leaving the Workplace Notice (excluding domestic workers and agricultural workers), the regional offices shall issue, after the notice has been issued, a signed and stamped certificate to the requesting party without the need to submit a separate application.

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