Filipino Migrant Workers Smuggled into Lebanon
Filipino migrant workers are being illegally smuggled into Lebanon with the aid of corrupt immigration officials who work in Manila, warned senior Filipino politicians. The Philippines banned its workers from going to Lebanon during the 2006 summer war with Israel and has kept the rule in place, because of the poor conditions faced by migrant workers in the country.
Even with the ban in place, Filipino workers make up third-largest immigrant worker population in Lebanon, with approximately 25,000 already thought to be working in the country. Proponents of the ban say that it is necessary for the continued health and safety of Filipino workers. According to The Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon, Gilbert Asuque Jr., “Lebanon does not have a law that protects the rights of migrant workers. Even though they are aware of the situation and we are working with them to improve it, consultations are still under way.” Conditions in Lebanon for migrant Filipino workers are starting to look up though, with tensions between the two countries having relaxed since 2006 and Lebanon looking to ease up on laws constricting workers already there. The Philippines also bans workers from traveling to Afghanistan, Iraq and Nigeria for employment, but sources say that it is unlikely the same concessions would be made for Filipinos working in these countries.
Out of the estimated 200, 000 migrant domestic workers in Lebanon, almost 10 percent of them report having been physically or sexually abused by their employers or having had their wages withheld.
Venus Vahedi
