ILO workshop on strengthening the rights of migrant women workers in Lebanon

The ILO concluded yesterday its workshops organized within the framework of the project entitled "Promoting Rights of Women Domestic Workers” (PROWD) and in collaboration with the Ministry of Labor and Tanmya organizations.  The event was held at the conference room in the Ministry of Labor under the auspices of the Minister of Labor, Sejaan Azzi.
In his somewhat moralistic speech, Azzi noted that the holding of the workshops about the rights of migrant women workers at a time when the Middle East is burning and suffering from war, terrorism and border invasion, is indicative of Lebanon’s special role in upholding human rights and in rejecting of any form of injustice vis-à-vis any worker “serving” a Lebanese family.  He underscored this special role of Lebanon which he claimed places the country in a distinctive position within the Orient.  In talking about the failures of his Ministry, Azzi threw the blame on the high level vacancies in his ministries and shortages in human resources which prevent social workers from performing their role, hence calling, on the occasion, the Cabinet to fill gaps in human resources.  For his part, the representative of the ILO, Hans van de Glind, encouraged Lebanon to ratify clause 189 and to abolish the Kafala system.  He also noted that training workers within the Ministry has enabled them to reach international standards which undoubtedly will reflect positively on the situation of women and men workers and society.
Source: Al-Nahar 16 October 2014