Minister of Labor warns against external interference in issues of domestic workers

The National Steering Committee organized a follow up meeting at the Minister of Labor’s office to discuss issues related to migrant domestic workers in Lebanon. Present at the meeting were representatives of the concerned public departments, the International Labor Organization and civil society organisations. During the meeting Minister Sejaan Azzi warned that “rabble-rousing is unacceptable when it comes to humanitarian subjects, such as the subject of migrant domestic workers, adding that it was a deplorable thing whether, whether coming from official, diplomatic or civil society circles. He appealed to international organizations active in Lebanon “not to take sides or engage in support of any trade union that is not recognized by the government.
Furthermore, he stressed that "no one is more supportive of the social and human rights of migrant workers than the Ministry of Labor”, and particularly so since he is fully in charge of the matter. He underscored the primary role of his Ministry in the protection migrant workers in line with the law. He also highlighted the need to activate the role of the above mentioned committee in its follow up of the conditions of domestic workers. In this context, he listed the various new measures and regulations taken by his ministry to improve the working and living standards of domestic workers, “notwithstanding union conflicts” as per Azzi’s quote.
(Al Diyar, Feb 13, 2015)