MWDW celebrate the first year of their union despite the refusal by MoL

Notwithstanding the refusal of the Labor Minister (MoL), Sajaan Azzi, to legally approve the formation of the trade union of migrant women domestic workers (MWDW), members of the union celebrated yesterday its first year in the Beirut suburb of Dekwaneh. Tens of women workers from different nationalities gathered to reiterate their demand for basic rights, particularly their right to end the sponsorship (Kafala) system. According to Al Akhbar newspaper, the new trade union succeeded in promoting awareness and mobilizing workers on their rights. Speaking to the newspaper, workers expressed pride in this accomplishment which has become a legal reference for them. Maryan, from Senegal, said the Union is a strong support system which allows her and other workers to communicate and manage their problems as they arise. She noted however, that things will not change immediately but gradually, and that this year shall witness a number of adjustments. Aminata, on the other hand, said “the union has demonstrated to us that the work conditions we have been putting up with were not proper, but we did not have a platform to articulate our grievances.” As for plans for this year, the newspaper pointed out to the cooperation with the Swiss Agency for Development through a 3-year ‘Support and Empowerment of MWDW’ project that will aim to build the mobilisation capacities of members. Meanwhile, the head of the National Federation of Trade Unions, Castro Abdallah, stressed that the MWDW union has proved itself after all, prompting the Minister of Labor to take stricter actions, to close down agencies in violation of the law while paving the way to seriously tackling the critical question of human trafficking.

Al Akhbar February 1, 2016