FENASOL supports ILO outreach to employers of domestic workers in Lebanon
Lebanese trade unionists meet to discuss strategies for engagement with employers of domestic workers
BEIRUT (ILO News) – The National Federation of Employees’ and Workers’ Unions in Lebanon (FENASOL) has become the first trade union in the Middle East to join the My Fair Home campaign. The campaign – a global initiative of the ILO and the International Domestic Workers Federation – aims to promote attitude and behavior change among employers of domestic workers to support better employment relationships.
FENASOL affiliates personally took the pledge to respect domestic workers’ rights in their own homes, noting the importance of this commitment as trade unionists. “For us, domestic workers are workers in every sense of the word. Thanks to the women who do this work, the Lebanese woman has been able to join the workforce”, said Castro Abdullah, President of FENASOL.
Speaking about how their work as unionists supports their role as employers (of domestic workers), Mursel Mursel, President of the Union of Workers in Construction and Woodwork stated “as a unionist I am bound to protect all workers, regardless of colour or nationality”.
The participants also suggested everyday ways in which they can support domestic worker’s rights in their communities, including being role models for neighbours and explaining to family and friends the fundamental labour rights of domestic workers.
FENASOL affiliates who have taken the pledge include:
FENASOL affiliates personally took the pledge to respect domestic workers’ rights in their own homes, noting the importance of this commitment as trade unionists. “For us, domestic workers are workers in every sense of the word. Thanks to the women who do this work, the Lebanese woman has been able to join the workforce”, said Castro Abdullah, President of FENASOL.
Speaking about how their work as unionists supports their role as employers (of domestic workers), Mursel Mursel, President of the Union of Workers in Construction and Woodwork stated “as a unionist I am bound to protect all workers, regardless of colour or nationality”.
The participants also suggested everyday ways in which they can support domestic worker’s rights in their communities, including being role models for neighbours and explaining to family and friends the fundamental labour rights of domestic workers.
FENASOL affiliates who have taken the pledge include:
- Hotel and Restaurant Workers' Union
- Sewing Workers' Union
- Bakery Workers' Union
- Wood and Construction Union
- Sewing and Tricot Workers' Union
- Printing Workers' Union