The Anti-Racism Movement and Fi Chi Ghalat are organizing the 4th annual Workers’ Day Parade in celebration of Labor Day, demanding better legal protection for Domestic Workers in Lebanon suffering from the Kafala System. I’ll be joining with the Migrant Workers Task Force (MWTF).
You can RSVP here.
The Program
- Friday, May 2nd, 2014. 11:00am – 1:00pm, Monot Theater, Ashrafieh:
Book launching of “If not for the System: Migrant Domestic Workers in Lebanon Tell their Stories” by KAFA (enough) Violence & Exploitation. The event will include story telling by domestic workers, followed by Q&A session in the presence of the President of the International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF) Ms. Myrtle Witbooi - Saturday, May 3rd, 2014. 4:00pm – 8:00pm, parking facing Estral Center, Hamra:
Cultural Festival: The Other Face of Migration
Featuring:
• Photo Exhibition (Caritas Lebanon Migrant Center)
• Crafts & Food Market (Migrant Community Center)
• Sudanese & Ethiopian Concert (Insan Association)
• Ethiopian Coffee Corner (Amel International)
• Interactive Advocacy Corner led by IDWF - Sunday, May 4th, 2014. 12:00pm –, departure from Dora Roundabout:
Workers’ Day Parade & Celebration led by Migrant Domestic Workers.
Departure from Dora Roundabout at 12:00pm (gathering at 11:30am), with a final celebration in Mar Mikhael Train Station starting 1:30pm
Workers’ Day 2013 Parade and Festival
The following are images of last year’s parade and festival taken from the Migrant Workers Task Force Facebook page.
Posters of the Event in 6 Different Languages
Hummus For Thought 
dear HFT: will next month’s festivities draw attention to the plight of the very young syrian refugee children forced into oppressive labour situations ?…david, montreal
Hello David,
If I’m not mistaken, the yearly labor day festivities highlight the plight of domestic workers specifically as it predates the arrival of Syrian refugees. But the Anti Racism Movement is involved in fighting discrimination against Syrians as well so the topic might be included. I’m afraid I don’t know at this point but will update you if I do find out.
Thanks for your comment,
Joey