JINHA

NEWS CENTER – Tomorrow, migrant domestic workers will march in Beirut demanding recognition as workers. The Lebanese Minister of Labor has previously threatened the women with police violence for forming a union.

For the last six years, the domestic workers have marched every May 1, demanding protection under labor law and the recognition of a domestic workers' union. When they announced the founding of their union under the FENASOL union confederation in January 25, Lebanese Minister of Labor SajaanAzzipromised to break the union. His reason: non-citizens do not have the right to unionize.

Lebanon's 250,000 domestic workers come from countries all over the world. They face racism, sexism, xenophobiaand state violence such as the deportations of their children. Wage theft and abuse is widespread. On April 27, three domestic workers bodies were found in three separate locations in the country.

Union member Leticia, survivor of rape by her employer, says, "We want to be treated like human beings, like real workers. With this union, I will no longer feel alone in the face of abuse."

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