PH Embassy in Lebanon Promotes Labor Rights and Mental Health Awareness among OFWs

Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon Raymond R. Balatbat and DAS Kristine Leilani Salle with Philippine Embassy personnel and Filipino community leaders who attended the seminar and town hall forum. (Beirut PE photo)

BEIRUT 12 December 2022 — The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon conducted a labor rights and mental health awareness seminar for Filipino migrant workers in Lebanon on 01 December 2022. The said event is part of the Embassy’s delivery of assistance-to-nationals (ATN) services and in line with the celebration of the 18-day global campaign to end violence against women and children (VAWC).

The Embassy tapped civil society groups in Lebanon such as Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) and Restart Center to discuss labor rights and mental health topics respectively. KAFA and Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) representatives were also present to promote awareness to the medical and social welfare assistance they offer. 

The seminar highlighted mental health concerns of migrant workers, considering their distance from their families, their main support system. OFWs were introduced to a network of available mechanisms for those in need.  The migrant workers were also educated about their labor rights in the context of the existing working conditions in Lebanon.

Even though the Philippine government imposed a ban on the deployment of Filipino household service workers to Lebanon, the Embassy emphasized that it’s delivery of ATN services continues to those in the country.

Moreover, mindful of the difficulties encountered by migrant communities as they brave the impacts of the financial crisis, the Philippine Embassy remains committed to organizing programs and promoting awareness on key migration issues including human trafficking and illegal recruitment, in line with the Philippine foreign policy pillar of promoting the welfare and protecting the rights of Filipinos overseas. END

Migrant worker beneficiaries during the labor rights and mental health awareness seminar. (Beirut PE photo)

Ambassador Raymond R. Balatbat, along with DAS Kristine Leilani Salle, present tokens of appreciation to Mr. Georges Tahan and Ms. Rebacca Spanioli for sharing their expertise in migrant workers’ rights and mental health, respectively. (Beirut PE photo)

For more information, visit https://www.beirutpe.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.facebook.com/PHinLebanon/