Work permits for women domestic workers from Liberia halted temporarily

Labor Minister Sajaan Azzi discussed with his Liberian counterpart, Nato Zarzarliff, who heads a delegation from the ministries of labor, justice and interior, issues of common interest between the two countries, particularly the issue of Liberian workers in Lebanon. Following the meeting which centered on the bad conditions of Liberian domestic workers, Azzi said, “Liberia hosts some 5,000 Lebanese expatriates who live, work and contribute to building the Liberian economy and at the same time assist their families and communities back home.” He noted that the Liberian minister’s visit to Lebanon comes in the wake of a series of incidents involving Liberian workers in Lebanon, the last one occurred four months ago. As a result, of that last incident the Labor Ministry decided to close two recruitment agencies and the case is now in the hands of justice, according to Azzi. The minister added that several arrests were made and investigation is still underway. Azzi also indicated that the two parties reached an agreement on three points: 1) temporarily stop issuing work permits for Liberian women workers; turn down any applications for migrant workers from Liberia in the massage and other related professions, and, finally prepare a memorandum of understanding on exchange of labor between the two countries. (As Safir, An Nahar 12 March 2015)