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Tales from the Gulf’s ‘Back End’

March 25th, 2010

UAE Workers

Readers of Migrant Rights might be interested in this review of Drumbeat, a novel by Egyptian writer Mohammed Al-Bisatie. The novel, now available in English translation through AUC Publications deals with the lives of migrant workers in the UAE. The entire native population of a tiny, unnamed Emira…

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Nepali Labourers Strike in Saudi

March 25th, 2010

Saudi Arabia Workers Working conditions

Thirty Nepali cleaners have gone on strike at King Abdulalziz International Airport in Saudi Arabia over poor working conditions and unpaid wages, according to this article in Maktoob Business. The workers, who have been protesting since Feb 8th, say that their passports have been confiscated, and t...

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Lebanon: Call for a Solidarity Sit-In with the Refugees who are Arbitrarily Detained

March 24th, 2010

Lebanon Prison

The Lebanese Center for Human Rights has called for a solidarity sit-in with refugees arbitrarily detained by the Lebanese General Security, this Thursday March 25th at 12:00 p.m. at the Adlieh roundabout, in front of the General Security retention center (under Elias Hraoui bridge). The call comes ...

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Thai Worker Dies from Palestinian Rocket Fire as Israeli Employers Neglect Workers’ Safety

March 20th, 2010

Israel News

On Thursday a 30-year-old Thai worker was killed from a Palestinian rocket that exploded in the Netiv HaAsara village in southern Israel. The rocket was launched by the Ansar al-Sunnah militant organization from the Gaza strip. Tom Mehager of the Israeli migrant rights NGO Kav LaOved explained that...

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Lebanon: Sri Lankan Suicide

March 19th, 2010

Housemaids Lebanon Suicide

The Lebanese National News Agency reported today that, in Jal El Dib (Christian suburb of Beirut), Sri Lankan maid, Ambagla Mudian Silage (born 1980) jumped from the window of Al Rabih employment office located at the fourth floor of Hafiz Abu Jaoude building. She died instantly after her head was c...

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Himal Southasian Runs Story on Migrant Suicide Epidemic

March 16th, 2010

Abusive employers Housemaids Lebanon Suicide Videos Women

Himal Southasian, a regional journal, has carried a story on suicides of migrant women in its online edition, written by Sophia, our Nepal-based editor. You can read the full story here, and also see some clips from Kesang Tseten’s work-in-progress Saving Dolma. We are eagerly awaiting this fi...

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Saudi’s “Arab Times” Portrays Maids as Abusive Sneaky Witches

March 14th, 2010

Housemaids Racism Saudi Arabia

The Saudi English daily Arab News published a report today about the apparent growing trend of maids who attack their employers as a response to mistreatment. The report, titled “Maids turn up the heat on sponsors” portrays the maids as the abusers, while barely mentioning the abuse maid...

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Disturbing Article in Qatar’s “The Peninsula” Describes Maids as Lazy Liars

March 11th, 2010

Housemaids Qatar Racism

The Peninsula, self-proclaimed as “Qatar’s leading English daily” published a report today about domestic workers in the emirate. The article, titled “Finding housemaids not an easy job” refers to foreign maids as expensive commodities and describes them as lazy liars. ...

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Israeli Activists and Celebrities Urge the PM to Avoid Deporting Migrant Worker’s Children

March 10th, 2010

Israel News

A decision on the fate of the 1,200 children of migrant workers in Israel is expected soon. By the end of this month an inter-governmental committee will present its recommendations on the subject to the Minister of Interior. In an unusual move, the committee officials invited members of Israeli mig...

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