Articles and views shared in the Weekly News Report do not necessarily represent ARM’s views. Information in these articles has not been fact-checked by ARM and may contain some errors. ARM is simply compiling all news relevant to migrant communities to inform our advocacy efforts and to facilitate the work of organizations who cater to migrant communities.

Report on Obstacles to Evacuation of Migrant Workers [here]

An article on L’Orient Today covered the obstacles facing migrant workers who wish to leave Lebanon and return to their countries. Those included financial difficulty to secure the cost of tickets, unpaid wages given the impact of the crisis on employers, in addition to logistical delays since many workers’ passports are confiscated by employers even after their dismissal.

New Racist Decision by Municipality of Zgharta-Ehden [here]

The municipality of Zgharta-Ehden issued a new racist decision calling on all foreign workers to leave the area by September 25, threatening prosecution.

This comes after the municipality’s last curfew decision 2 months ago, citing concerns and suspicions among Lebanese residents of “unjustified movement” of foreign residents, coupled with threats to kick out those who would not abide.

Vaccine Drive for Migrants in the South [here]

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Doctors Without Borders (MSF) organized a two-day vaccination drive for migrant workers on September 22 and 23 in Saida and Tyre, South of Lebanon.

Philippines President calls to Abolish Kafala at the UN General Assembly [here] and [here]

The president of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte called for the abolishment of the Kafala system in Arab countries at the 76th United Nations General Assembly, describing Kafala as a “behemoth that chains the weak, the desperate, and the voiceless to an existence of unimaginable suffering.”