Lebanon

Two Nepalese migrant domestic workers, namely Sujana Rana (known as Zogana Rana) and Roja Linmbu (known as Rosie Limbaugh), have been detained by the Lebanese authorities because of their direct involvement in a campaign demanding decent working conditions for foreign domestic workers in the middle-eastern country.

The two domestic workers, both members and militants of Lebanon’s domestic workers union, were deprived of personal freedom within five days in late November and early December.

Overall, the discriminatory and retaliatory nature of the arrest of the two women is clear. They were fighting for recognition of better working conditions for the 250,000 migrant domestic workers present in the country, coming mainly from Ethiopia, the Philippines, Nepal and Sri Lanka and often suffering from physical and psychological abuse at the hands of their employers.

The mayor of the Lebanese village of Deir Al-Ahmar prohibited a strike called by Syrian displaced workers and threatened to repatriate those workers who were planning to participate in it. The collective action was organised to denounce the inhumane, degrading and discriminatory conditions applied to Syrian workers together with discriminatory treatment perpetrated against them by the municipality itself, the security forces and some of the town residents.

On 25 January 2015, six Lebanese workers submitted a request to the Labour Ministry to form a union for domestic workers, who are currently excluded from the protection of the Lebanese labour code. The proposed union would include domestic workers and others who provide care in homes for the elderly and those with disabilities, those who provide cleaning services in homes and offices, and some other similar categories.

On 25 January 2015, with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), and the Federation of Trade Unions of Workers and Employees (FENASOL) in Lebanon, approximately 350 domestic workers of various nationalities gathered for the union’s founding congress. But union members said they had received no response to their request, and the Labour Minister Sejaan Azzi denounced the union as illegal, media reports said.

The 1946 Lebanese Labour Code specifically excludes domestic workers, both Lebanese and migrants, denying them protections afforded other workers. Families in Lebanon employ an estimated 250,000 migrant domestic workers, primarily from Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, the Philippines, and Nepal. Under article 92 of the Labour Code, all foreign workers are also explicitly denied the right to elect or be elected as representatives of a union.
As a result, thousands of workers have been denied the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining, and there are inadequate legal safeguards for migrant workers and some Lebanese labourers, leaving them vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
The most common complaints documented by the embassies of labour-sending countries and nongovernmental groups include mistreatment by recruiters, non-payment or delayed payment of wages, forced confinement to the workplace, a refusal to provide any time off, forced labour, and verbal and physical abuse. Despite repeated public announcements by Lebanese officials that they would improve conditions for migrant domestic workers, reforms have been insignificant.

It was reported that retail chain Spinneys, employer of 1,500 workers, dismissed three workers (Samir Tawk, Miled Barakat and Elie Abi Hanna) for being trade union members in breach of Article 329 of the Lebanese Criminal Code. The workers had asked management to comply with the increase of the minimum wage passed in February 2012. Spinneys responded by threatening workers with dismissals and dismissed Samir Tawk from the retailer’s Achrafieh branch. CEO Michael Wright is now facing charges before the Criminal Court.

Mar Elias Batina Private School in Beirut replaced Hanna Gharib, head of the Union Coordination Committee, who was leading the teacher’s strike in March 2013. On 1 April 2013, school management decided Hanna Gharib could continue to teach at the school. Teachers had gone on a strike demanding pay increases in the public sector. The Lebanese Forces Department of Workers and Employees condemned the school’s initial decision and stated this was an attack against the entire labour movement.

In February, the Union Coordination Committee instigated a strike with the participation of the public civil servants league, public school teachers and private school teachers union to protest against the Government’s procrastination to refer the wage bill to Parliament. The Government responded by intimidating the workers through the Internal Security Forces which sent a statement to the Union Coordination Committee announcing it would take all measures necessary to keep public order during the strike.

The government has often interfered in trade union affairs, instigating or aggravating conflicts within the trade union movement. Senior politicians have managed to have their nominees placed on the governing body of the Lebanese General Workers Union (CGTL), causing friction within the union when it opposes government policy. Union elections in January saw disputes over alleged pro-Syrian bias.

There are approximately 400,000 Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, which accounts for 11% of the Lebanese population. Palestinians are not allowed to form trade unions, as there has to be a reciprocal arrangement with their home state. Previously Palestinian refugees had been severely restricted in the type of work they could obtain, but with the passing of a new law Palestinian refugees were guaranteed the same rights at work as other foreigners.