Campaign for ‘My Fair Home’ launched in Lebanon

Saturday, 7 April 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The campaign for ‘My Fair Home’, an initiative to create fair working environments for domestic workers in Lebanon, was launched on 22 March in Beirut under the patronage of Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Lebanon H. M. G. R. R. K. Wijerathne Mendis. The ceremonial launch was held at the official residence of the Ambassador of Sri Lanka, with the participation of a large number of invitees.

The event was organised by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beirut, in collaboration with the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF) and the Sri Lanka Women Association in Lebanon.

IDWF Regional Coordinator Mariela Acuna, Centre for Human Rights Project Manager Mrs Josian, International Organisation for Migration (IOM) representative Dina Hadad, Sri Lanka Women Association in Lebanon President Malani Kandearachchi, International Labour Organisation (ILO) representatives Sofia Khan and Eliza Marks, Recruitment Agents’ Syndicate President Ali Al Amine, and Counsellor (E&W) of the Embassy of Sri Lanka Deepal Premarathna, were present at this event.

IDWF Regional Coordinator Mariela Acuna explained the objective of the “My Fair Home” campaign. She elaborated that respect for domestic workers, recognition of their work, payment of decent salary, guarantees of sufficient rest and decent living conditions were the main principles behind this initiative.

Sri Lanka Women Association in Lebanon President Malani Kandearachchi explained the difficulties that she had to face since the day she arrived in Lebanon as a domestic worker, and stressed the importance of initiatives such as “My Fair Home” in guaranteeing safe working environments for domestic workers.

Addressing the gathering on behalf of the Ambassador, Embassy of Sri Lanka Counsellor (E&W) Deepal Premarathna gave a briefing on the services and assistance provided by the Labour Section of the Embassy to the Sri Lankan domestic workers in Lebanon. Embassy of Sri Lanka Second Secretary (Labour) T. Luxmidharan delivered the vote of thanks.