On 14 July 2020, a panel discussion was conducted by Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism (GRFDT) on the topic, ‘The Role of Diplomatic Missions in Assisting Migrants during and beyond COVID-19’.
Ms. Noun works for a civil society in Lebanon named Lebanese Centre for Human Rights where she works for the welfare and upliftment of the under-privileged, including migrants, who are the most vulnerable amongst them.
Ms. Noun started her discussion by highlighting the issue of repatriation in Lebanon, starting with how the Lebanese Pound has fallen 50% in value as compared to the USD. Workers are not getting their due wages and even if they are, the amount is insignificant due to low exchange rates. Many migrants have called upon their embassies, to help with repatriation process. She shared an anecdote where 400 Bangladeshi migrant workers gathered around their embassy in Beirut, in an attempt to expedite their visa. Undocumented workers from the Philippines were asked to pay a fee for their illegal residency and contribute for their air tickets in USD. Ms. Noun pointed out that embassies like Ethiopia and Kenya lack resources to support the repatriation process of migrants and to cover their penalty. At times they have to cover for other fees using the exchange rate in the black market.
We (civil societies) are the only ones acting upon the situation proactively and helping the migrants go home: Josiane Noun
She also stated that coordination is very challenging with old embassies and counsels. There is no one focal point to contact or to give directions to by civil societies organizations. Incase of emergency and protection issues, there is no one they know whom they can contact.
Recently, embassies and counsels released a joint statement to modify the kafala system, while the civil societies such as the one Ms. Noun is associated with “Lebanese center for Human Rights’ are working towards demolishing and destroying the Kafala system as they deem it to be a form of ‘Modern Slavery.”
Legal Challenges faced by migrants:
Several migrants in Lebanon have been held in detention centers, some of which are ladies and are pregnant. Embassies and counsels do not come to their aid at all, especially since the Lebanese pound’s value has dipped. Migrants cannot be the ones paying, their ambassies have to step up. More civil societies have to step up and help these workers.
A new Ethiopian embassy was recently established, which opened shelters and accepted migrants into them, but they are over and above the capacity, and the living conditions are pathetic, since the embassies lack budget. In case of emergencies, the workers do not know whom to contact or to approach for help. She said that the repatriation for these workers has to start, and for that civil society and diplomatic mission to find a common ground for them, and help them with fees, tickets etc. and help them go home.
Tejaswinee Jog is an avid reader, fond of history, mythology and religion. She is from an army background, and travelling is her passion, especially if the place is historical. She is a fourth-year undergraduate student of International relations and Economics and wishes to make a future as a diplomat or work in the sector of defense, strategy and national security or maybe, RAW.