Migrant workers from Bangladesh, other countries hit by Lebanon crises: UN

Migrant workers in Lebanon have been hit hard by its multiple crises and half of them left jobless, the UN warned Wednesday, calling for voluntary returns to be scaled up. The combined effects of Lebanon’s economic collapse, the Covid-19 pandemic and last year’s deadly Beirut port explosion have worsened already dire living conditions for migrant workers.

The plight of migrants workers in Lebanon including many from the Philippines, Ethiopia, Bangladesh and Sierra Leone has come under increased scrutiny in recent years over cases of mistreatment.

The IOM said many respondents said they were still being subjected to abuse, including beatings, sexual harassment and denial of wages.

“As the economic situation continues to deteriorate and employment opportunities remain limited, migrants’ vulnerability to exploitation and abuse is likely to increase,” said Mathieu Luciano, the agency’s Lebanon chief.

The Lebanese currency has lost more than 85 per cent of its value against the dollar, in an economic crisis that has sent poverty levels above 50 per cent of the population.

English | May 27, 2021

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