When things in the middle-east have erupted in the past, it never occurred to me that this could affect my countrymen (well, in this case mostly women) from Sri Lanka. Yet, the escalation in violence in Lebanon with the Israelis conducting daily bombings has also caused a huge amount of difficulties to Sri Lankan migrant workers in the region. The problems faced by these workers are compounded by their working conditions, with employers often refusing to release their salaries and/or withholding their passports and other travel documents. This means that the Sri Lankan migrant workers (mostly domestic servants) are left without the financial and legal means to get away from the bombing. Even those who are able to leave must still run the gauntlet of roads subjected to aerial bombardment and even the Sri Lankan Embassy in Beirut is warning workers to avoid traveling by lorry since these have been targeted by the Israelis.
One significant result of this situation (which has the potential to have a positive long-term impact) is the media attention given to plight of migrant workers - particularly the sometimes harsh working conditions they have to endure and the seeming indifference of the officials supposed to watch out for their welfare. An article by Monica Smith brings these issues to light in a very clear manner.
Hopefully this situation will create enough pressure on government officials in both Sri Lanka (and the countries importing the workers) to put in place measure to protect the rights and welfare of the young men and women who travel overseas to work. As a group these people are a significant economic force, earning valuable foreign currency that is sent back to Sri Lanka to support their families. However, whilst the majority of workers are able to 'live the dream' of using their foreign earnings to raise their families out of poverty, there is a significant minority who end up in a nightmare of verbal/physical abuse and financial misery. It is high time those responsible for creating the nightmare situations - the abusive employers and uncaring government officials - are brought to account.
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