August 28th, 2020, Nairobi- Working in collaboration with the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC Beirut) and the African Union (AU)’s Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC)– East Africa Region, the Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA) has called upon the Kenya Government to rescue scores of Kenyan girls- made up workers in the formal and informal sectors, who are stranded in the Middle Eastern country.
The Kenyans lost their jobs following the massive explosion in Beirut that killed over 100 people and left 300,000 people homeless. Living off the streets with children as young as 3 months old, and some pregnant, the stranded Kenyans have called upon the government to fly them back home.
Many of the workers are also protesting the kafala system; a form of Employment contracts that has evolved into giving employers enormous control over their employees. This has resulted in exploitative and abusive practices by the employers that include the withholding of wages, the confiscation of passports and long working hours in substandard or unsafe conditions.
Calling for the replacement of the Honorary Consul in Lebanon, The Kenya Diaspora Alliance has expressed concern about the safety of the Kenyans in Lebanon, and has raised issues with the Kenyan consulate in Beirut for labeling the stranded protestors’ employment and immigration status as “unknown”.
“Whether documented or not, these are Kenyans who need to be back home with their people,” said Dr. Shem Ochuodho, KDA Chairperson.
“The Ministry of Labour needs to revisit and preferably review policies regarding Domestic Workers that find themselves in the Middle East in inhuman conditions,” he continued.
The Kenya Diaspora Alliance advocate for reforms on the consulate and possible transition from a Lebanese run consulate to a Kenyan run consulate; to reduce instances of extortion claims by Kenyans that seek help from the consulate.
Thirty-one Kenyans from Lebanon are expected back in the country this Saturday while twenty-three Kenyans are expected the following day – Sunday.
