Stop

          All of us are equal pieces on the checkerboard. That is we all have the same rights in which we strive to protect. Every single person has the right to live in harmony and defend himself to survive. But what happens when people are mistreated and their rights snatched? This is the case of domestic workers here in Lebanon. These workers are severely abused and all officials and organizations must make a move for a change.

          Considering the significant case of Ethiopian domestic workers, we realize that they are being oppressed and violently treated by their employers who manage not to pay them on time or in some cases beat them up. We must also stress on the fact that an articulate number of these workers, which is also a park of an even larger number, are facing death where their corpses are sent back to their countries or even having them enter hospitals because of violent treatment, and that is the case of an Ethiopian domestic worker who was left paralyzed, only able to communicate with her eyes. Moreover, many workers who flee their employers are sleeping under cars because they have no shelter. Is there just anybody to make a move?

          All officials and governments here in Lebanon must be concerned about this crucial case which caused the Lebanese reputation at other countries, especially Ethiopia, to drop to an extent that recent workers are urging their fellows not to come to Lebanon for that a number of campaigns were held to discuss this case which seems to be of severe importance. Of the many campaigns held was one held under the supervision of the American University of Beirut. We shouldn’t wait for workers themselves to open a refuge for each other as workers Elinore Molla and Victoria Andarge did. However, our officials must be the ones who “make the move”.

          Everyone seems to seek hope in what is done to help these domestic workers. “We just need strong people”, as Andarge said. We must change this plight! Isn’t this just enough for the world to rise, scream and say: “STOP!!!”.

         Nada Abbas Sabbah

                                                                                                2^nd Secondary –B-                                          HOME