Trafficking: Lebanese Embassy Suspends Issuance Of Working Visas To Nigerians
Sequel to the influx of some Nigerians to Lebanon to
work, and complaints of maltreatment from some Nigerian domestic workers
there, Amb. Houssam Diab, the Lebanese Ambassador to Nigeria said on
Thursday that the Embassy has suspended issuing working visas to
Nigerians seeking to work in Lebanon, particularly for domestic work.
(NIDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa in his Abuja office that the mission
suspended the issuance from May 1.
Amb. Diab stated that the suspension started since May 1, as a result
of complaints of abuse by some employers , as well as the case of the
video of Peace Busari, a Nigerian lady, auctioned for sale for $1000 on
Social media in April this year, went viral.
He said the man who committed the act is not a Lebanese , but a Lebanese
resident and has since been charged to court in Lebanon.
He said the suspension was to stem the tide for such categories of
workers pending the time the procedure would be properly harmonized
with the Ministry of Labour, in line with best practices of managed and
orderly migration.
Thus far, the Ambassador said the Lebanese government in conjunction
with the Lebanese community in Nigeria had brought back 69 out of 79
Nigerians allegedly stranded back to the country.
He explained that the remaining 10 Nigerians, who would be transported
home soon after the Covid-19 lockdown, have some pending legal cases
and would be repatriated home once they are through with their cases.
He clarified that the Embassy and the Lebanese community paid over
$150,000 USD to evacuate the 69 Nigerians and also paid for their 14
days quarantine, adding that they were not in Lebanon illegally but were
abused by their employers who also breached the working agreement and
did not have money to bring them back.
He assured that the Lebanese government will not condone maltreatment of
foreign nationals and anyone found guilty will face the necessary
penalty.
Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa called on the Ambassador to ensure that
whatever cases the 10 Nigerians left behind were being charged with,
should be expeditiously dealt with so they can return home.
She said the Commission would work with the Ministry of Labour to have
an effective and efficient t managed migration, a working scheme where
verification and certification must be provided between agents,
employers and prospective employees that would protect the rights of
workers in any country.
The Chairman commended the Ambassador for his assistance especially in
evacuating 69 Nigerians and the safe release of the Nigerian lady who
was advertised for sale on social media.
Corroborating the Ambassadors disclosure about the lady who was put up
for sale and safely rescued by the Nigerian mission, in Lebanon, Dabiri
Erewa confirmed that the rescued lady had secured another job in Lebanon
and was not ready to return home as at now.
Highlight of the meeting includes a resolution by both the Lebanese
Ambassador and the Chairman, NiDCOM, to work for an effective
collaboration between the Lebanese Diaspora and the Nigerian Diaspora
 Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa in his Abuja office that the missionsuspended the){kind=link}