Azzi sides with the ultra-conservative Protecting Lebanese Family Association

The Labor Minister Sajaan Azzi headed yesterday a meeting for the national steering committee following up the conditions of migrant domestic workers in Lebanon in the presence of representatives from official departments concerned, the International Labor Organization and civil society organizations. Azzi pointed out to his Ministry’s efforts to improve conditions of those workers and combat human trafficking or child labor which he alleged was acclaimed both inside and outside Lebanon. In the same vein, Azzi welcomed the recent establishment of Protecting Lebanese Family Association urging it to coordinate with other groups defending the rights of  MWDWs whom he described as ‘maids’ (for full news please refer to the previous news: Welcome to the “Association of Women Against Migrant Women Domestic Workers”). The Labor Minister said he was surprised that the 24/24 hotline the Ministry launched to receive complaints from MWDWs did not get any calls so far. At the end of the meeting, the ILO was asked to submit a proposal on a new labor recruitment system that will replace the ‘Kafala’ sponsorship system. Azzi revealed that he has sent earlier similar requests to civil society associations without obtaining any reply. Finally, participants in the meeting agreed to impose strict conditions to ensure decent working environment before the issuance of new work permits for foreign workers. (Al Mustaqbal, 30 July 2015)