On 23rd June 2020, The Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism organised an online panel discussion titled “Media Narratives on Migrants during COVID-19” where one of the speakers Ms. Anne Marie Jazzar el-Hage provided deep insights on migrants in Lebanon and how they are perceived by the two groups of the media.
Ms. Anne Marie, a journalist at the L’Orient-Le Jour, Lebanon initially pointed out that migrants in Lebanon are mostly comprised of unskilled and cheap labour. Around 250,000 domestic workers, mostly women who come from Philippines, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Ethiopia and other African countries are subject to the Kafala system that puts them under the control of the employer. Also, around 300,000 men work who work in sectors under Labour Law come from countries like Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Egypt and Sudan. They work at gas stations, factories cleaning sectors and construction sites. Syrian migrants also work in Lebanon in firms, construction sector, own small businesses or are taxi drivers (although that is illegal).
These migrants tend to face discrimination on the basis of race by the Lebanese authorities, the media and the general population. Domestic workers who are not under Labour Law are easily subjected to face abuses and lack protection. Although due to the pandemic, the situation got worsened, but things are gradually improving with the joint efforts of media and civil society.
Division of Media into two groups
Ms. Anne Marie rightly pointed out that the media in Lebanon consists of the Traditional/Conservative media (Television) that mostly uses wrong terms and hate speeches in order to describe the migrants and the new kind of media that is, Digital media which defends human rights and the vulnerable sections of the society.
Considering the terrible economic and financial crisis faced by Lebanon today, COVID-19 seems to have aggravated the situation. “Some Bangladeshi male workers in a cleaning company went on strike for a few days because their salaries were cut following the financial crisis and the confinement measures”, says Ms. Anne. The traditional media covers such stories but only from the point of view of the employer. “They excuse his behaviour even though it is abusive just because he is Lebanese”. During the pandemic, this type of media considers migrants as a threat to the Lebanese population as most of the migrants live in poor conditions like that of the Bangladeshi workers or Syrian Refugees. According to the media, they can easily catch the virus and transmit it therefore it is necessary for them to stop mingling with the Lebanese people. There are also elements of discrimination and hate in their speeches.
On the other hand, the Online media is gaining more prominence since the October 2019 Lebanese Revolution. It takes into account different perspectives holding the spirit of the Revolution, fighting for a nation based on social justice and equal rights. It is mostly in the form of printed newspapers, online blogs and publications. Such kind of media has pushed the authorities in 2019 to reflect towards the status of domestic workers and the whole Kafala system that encourages abuse and modern slavery, hoping to bring a change in the society.
Mohsina Noorien, The writer is an MPhil graduate from Centre for West Asian Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia. Her areas of interest include identity politics, conflict and security, foreign policy, bilateral relations, diplomacy and refugee crisis. Twitter: @MohsinaNoorien.