Job in Lebanon: general complain and repatriation project

Despite the firm declarations produced by the HAT leader and by its Population minister, Malagasy female workers kept on being sent to Lebanon, even when the press had unveiled the terrible fate entitled to scores of them – death, sickness, mental damages- prior to their repatriation. In order to skirt around the ban on sending workers in Lebanon, agencies granted a stay in Mauritius to their candidates. But the main issue is in Madagascar, according the Union of Social labor’s Professionals. “Border police forces is being confused. The authorization is allegedly suspended whereas the Ministry for Labor and Social Laws keeps on issuing them”, regretted Norotiana Jeannoda, while referring to written requests for moral behavior addressed to the Interior ministry.

For being in the sight, the labor ministry radically reacted. Any visa for a stay in Lebanon is now being systematically denied, including to some contracted workers spending their holiday time on home soil.  The border police might certainly appreciate the newly made clear order. Its efficiency might however be more than restricted. As long as Mauritius is not emulating, travelling to the Middle Orient will be remaining possible, though a wee bit more complicated. And the HAT’s diplomatic isolation is not making its issue any easier.

The Union of Social Labor’s Professionals is denouncing the ill treatment inflicted upon Malagasy female workers in Lebanon. Norotiana Jeannoda, the union’s president, argued that people are generally afraid of openly addressing modern slavery. The Union is currently compiling a general complain with the largest possible number of victims’ witnesses. “This complaint has to be lodged to the authorities, as mentioned in these victims’ job contracts” explained Mrs. Jeannoda.  Employers and recruitment offices are equally allowed to get a piece of her mind, if not worse. The issue will be judged in court in Antananarivo. Home based recruitment offices may have worries. The Union of Social Labor’s Professionals is also intending to ring the bell and warn the HAT and the general consul.

The Union of Social Labor’s Professionals is jointly treating some 800 files with other associations. Norotiana Jeannoda reported that 441 repatriation demands have been produced. “Only 10 out of the 291 workers who recovered home soil have completed their contracts” she added. The HAT leader previously proposed to make an aircraft available in order to repatriate young workers freely willing to come home, and the hell with contracts. Not all of them are being ill treated, as confirmed by families fully satisfied with their relatives’ situation in Lebanon. The HAT led ban on flight to Lebanon is as inefficient as unpopular.