Migrant women domestic workers who took part in a meeting organised at the premises of the National Union of Workers and Employees Syndicates in Lebanon, submitted demands to their respective countries, Lebanon as a host country, employment agencies and employers aiming at ensuring decent work environment, protection for their children, the safeguarding of their welfare, social and economic rights. The MWDW also demanded safety from violence, neglect and exploitation and the adoption by Lebanon of the ILO convention of standards for decent work for domestic workers (number 189 dated 16 June 2011), which they commemorated. They also addressed the Lebanese State asking it to improve the living conditions of detention centers, to ensure that deportation procedures are implemented whilst safeguarding the dignity of the workers, in addition to monitoring the conditions of sick migrant workers in hospitals. Finally, the MWDW called for the reform of the current legal framework to allow workers to sue individuals who abuse them physically and sexually, in addition to the right of their children to free schooling and health care in Lebanon, and the halting of all forms of racial discrimination especially in accessing touristic venues.
Source: Al-Diyar, Al-Mustaqbal 18 June 2013