Joseph Sader, President of Lebanese Graphic Arts Syndicate throws light on the activities of the print community and the challenges they face
‘New Laws and Regulations Needed For Print Industry’
12-Dec-2011
The history of printing in Lebanon is about 4 centuries old and the country is also home to one of the oldest Arabic printing presses in the world. After the end of World War I, the pace of printing in Lebanon increased and encouraged the printing sector to expand its services by importing more machinery and equipments. After the Second World War, the owners of the printing presses formed a union and called it the ‘Union of the owners of printing presses in Lebanon’. The syndicate, with headquarters in Beirut, helps printers to resolve issues and matters related to printing and help to improve the standards of the industry. During the initial stages, the union only looked into administrative functions but now they have expanded their range of tasks.
Also, they aim to raise the economic growth rate of the country and safeguards the interests of its members. The union’s activities help to raise the level of professionalism in the field and to improve the working conditions in the printing industry. They also act as a mediator to resolve any disputes or complaints. The functioning of the union was greatly challenged by the economic and political situations in the country and despite these, members of the syndicate have continued their efforts for the advancement of the union. The members of the union primarily constitute owners of the printing presses in Lebanon, who meet the conditions stipulated in the laws governing the organisation of the trade unions, that falls under the Basic law and the rules of procedure. The Union was brought into force during 1947 under Resolution No. 5210, which was issued by the Ministry of National Economy and Social Affairs. It was in the year 1959, that Mustafa Fathallah announced the change of the union to a syndicate and he was then elected as the first President of the Print Syndicate in Lebanon. Since that date, the syndicate devotes its attention to the evolution and development of the printing industry in Lebanon.
To know more about the activities of the ‘Lebanese Graphic Arts Syndicate’ (earlier known as Union of the owners of printing presses in Lebanon), ME Printer had a chat with Joseph A. Sader, President of the Syndicate in his office, situated in the heart of Beirut. Joseph Sader started his professional career as an editor in the educational journal, ‘Culture’, which was owned by his father Adib Youssef Sader. In 1982 he became the CEO of the Lebanese Publishers Company and in 1999 he was appointed President of the Lebanese Graphic Arts Syndicate. He is also a council member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Agriculture in Beirut and has also founded the Lebanese Association of the Intellectual Rights Protection.
When did the idea of this Lebanese Graphic Arts Syndicate take place?
The idea of the Syndicate was first generated during 1944/45 and the union itself was put into law on 1947.
Why printers here decided to form this association?
In Lebanon, government does not actively involve itself in the activities of the industry in general. So, the printers association formed a syndicate to help themselves so as to ensure maximum support from the government and from other sectors. There are more than 200 to 300 syndicates in Lebanon. Syndicates are very active in the region and it is the only way to be together in the region.
How many members do you have in the syndicate?
There are more than 1000 graphic art institutions in the region, out of which only 200 of them are members in the Lebanese Graphic Arts Syndicate. That’s because the membership is not obligatory and because the syndicate stipulates that the institution must have license from the Ministry of Industry in order to get the membership. So, just a little number of the institutions has this license.
What are the benefits of being a member of the syndicate?
There are many. But maybe the most important one is our effort to provide tax relief to printers. The syndicate helped the printers to get back the taxes that they have paid.
On the other hand, and as it is known in Lebanon, Printers have been categorised in the 5th category and the law stipulates that printing presses can only be established in the underground floor of the buildings and must not create problems to the neighbours. The syndicate plays a great role in solving such problems.
How do you interact with the government?
So far the relationship between the syndicate and the government has been very good but the government controls the laws and regulations related to the printing industry and the government needs to extend better coordination for enhancing the growth of this industry. As far as the syndicate is concerned; since the early Sixties we had wanted to improvise the printing laws and it is high time that the government changed the regulations related to granting printing licenses. In Lebanon, anyone who wants to open a printing press must obtain license from both the Ministry of Information and the Ministry of Industry. We were earlier promised by the Ministries of a draft law that would benefit the workers and owners of the printing industry. There are some laws in the country that needs to be changed, like if someone buys a new printing machine or replaces their existing ones, the license of the institution would be immediately cancelled and they have to apply again for a fresh license. The syndicate has demanded for a change of this law so that whenever there is a new installation, the license need only be amended rather than being cancelled. Purchasing printing equipment is not like, for example, buying cars, which need the consent of the State. We have submitted a series of proposals in front of the government, so as to create a better environment for the printing industry.
