Bangladeshi ambassador review the problems of Bangladeshi labor in Lebanon and possible solutions

Daily Star interviewed the Bangladeshi Ambassador to Lebanon, who spoke about the size of Bangladeshi labor in Lebanon and which is estimated at 60000 women and men.  The ambassador noted that Bangladeshi workers reside in different suburbs of the cities with most involved in domestic work.  According to the ambassador, men tend to work in shops, restaurants, hotels, gas stations and cleaning companies whilst women are exclusively in domestic work.  He highlighted the various types of abuses to which Bangladeshis are subjected namely working extra hours as well as other issues that the Embassy tries to solve with the Lebanese authorities.  He referred to the work of human rights organizations concerned with the right s of women migrant workers and the fact that they are acting to stop exploitation and abuse. He also noted the absence of a law to protect workers and the persistence of the overwhelming sponsorship system which leaves workers at the mercy of employers and employment agencies.  In addition, the ambassador highlighted various forms of exploitation during the different stages of recruitment starting at selection in the home country while insisting on the need to set up a standard protocol of employment which will secure the rights of all workers.
Source: The Daily Star 26 March 2014