Recently, Gulf newspapers have exploded with headlines decrying the dangers of maids. Every few days, a new headline surfaces reprimanding maids for their sexual exploits, their untrustworthiness, and their violent tendencies. The cumulative effect inflames an already disparaging image of foreign do…
25% of migrant workers in the Emirates are clinically depressed
December 15th, 2011
A new study conducted by the Community Medicine Department of the United Arab Emirates University reveals that at least 25.1% of migrant workers are clinically depressed. The study was conducted on 318 labor camp workers using translated questionnaires. The abstract is available online, and the stud...
Update on Israel’s Migrant Response
December 13th, 2011
Last week, we profiled Israel’s unfair treatment of African migrants and the illegal steps the government has implemented to deal with asylum seekers. This week, Israel took further steps to disfranchise refugees and illegal immigrants; the Knesset approved a 2% cut from all ministries to fund m...
Religion and Migrant Rights
December 11th, 2011
Religion is a powerful force in the Middle East, one that can and should be harnessed to promulgate the rights of non-citizens. Religion need not be abused as a tool of social engineering, but can rather be resourced for its pre-existing ethical and social framework; religion can bind leaders, activ...
StopGAMCA.org
December 8th, 2011
The acronym GAMCA stands for GCC Approved Medical Centers Association and earns ire from many migrants and migrant hopefuls. GAMCA clinics operate by standardized guidelines set by the Gulf countries, and are the only medical facilities authorized to test and clear migrants for employment in the Gul...
Migrants in Israel receive less than a warm welcome
December 6th, 2011
On November 25, Eritreans protested in front of the American Embassy in Tel Aviv, expressing their discontent with the plight of African migrants in Israel. From their journey through their settlement in Israel, asylum seekers fleeing oppressive regimes face physical harm and discrimination from bot...
Nepal to raise salaries for its citizens in the Gulf
December 4th, 2011
When a nation makes public commitments to improve the condition of its migrant population, there is often a large disparity between the language used and the action taken. But Nepal’s recent pledge to increase the salaries of citizens working in the Gulf may carry more credibility than most: Last...
UN passes resolution on violence against female migrant workers
December 2nd, 2011
Last week, the UN passed a resolution initiated by Indonesia and the Philippines which aims to improve the status of female migrant workers. The resolution primarily encourages multilateral cooperation to address and prevent the mistreatment of female migrant workers, who are particularly vulnerable...
Group urges Philippine govt. to work hard saving doomed OFW in China
November 30th, 2011
A Filipino migrants’ rights group today called on the Aquino administration and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to work hard and intensify its efforts to save a Filipino convicted of drug trafficking in China. In a statement issued on November 30, the DFA confirmed that a Filipino whom it ...
Loading... 