Ethiopia Seeking to Organize Work Force in Lebanon: Envoy

President Michel Aoun meets the advisor to the Ethiopian foreign minister Mahmoud Dirir Ghedi at the Baabda Palace, Tuesday, April 18, 2017. (PHOTO: The Daily Star)

Beirut, Lebanon (The Daily Star)–Visiting Ethiopian envoy Mahmoud Dirir Ghedi Tuesday said that his country was seeking to organize the Ethiopian work force in Lebanon.

Mahmoud Dirir Ghedi handed over a letter to President Michel Aoun from Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, who stressed his country’s desire to boost ties with Lebanon on all levels.

The letter also tackled the conditions of the Ethiopian labor force in Lebanon and the illegal immigrants, who haven’t obtained any legal paper documents yet.

President Michel Aoun praised endeavors to strengthen ties between Lebanon and Ethiopia as “they acquire common characteristics, including religious pluralism, dialogue, and immigrant communities.”

The president stressed that Ethiopian workers in Lebanon have the government’s attention, especially when it comes to preserving their rights according to the enforced law. He added that he has instructed authorities to deal with those who entered illegally in terms of settling their legal status.

Mahmoud Dirir Ghedi announced after meeting with General Director of the Ministry of Labor George Ida that a committee of experts would visit Lebanon to speed up the signing of a memorandum of understanding, in an effort to curb illegal immigration.

Mahmoud Dirir Ghedi also discussed bilateral ties between the two countries with Ida.

The International Labor Organization says that many Ethiopian domestic workers – mostly female – are subjected to emotional and physical abuse, poor working conditions, low pay and discrimination.

Read the complete story at The Daily Star
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