Ambassador Raymond R. Balatbat and DAS Kristine Leilani Salle with Philippine Embassy personnel and Filipino community leaders who attended the seminar and town hall forum.

1 December 2022 -  The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon conducted a labor rights and mental health awareness seminar for Filipino migrant workers in Lebanon. 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).

Acknowledging the difficulties encountered by migrant communities as they brave the impacts of the financial crisis, the Philippine Embassy aims to organize programs in line with the Philippine foreign policy pillar of promoting the welfare and protecting the rights of Filipinos overseas.

 Migrant worker beneficiaries during the labor rights and mental health awareness seminar.

Awareness on labor rights is a vital tool for Filipinos to be conscious of their rights given the working conditions in Lebanon. Even though the Philippine government imposed a ban on the deployment of Filipino household service workers to Lebanon, the Embassy continues to deliver ATN services to those in the country.

Mental health concerns of migrant workers were also put into light considering their distance from their families, their main support system. OFWs were introduced to a network of available mechanisms for those in need.

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

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. 

A strong network of coordination among stakeholders is vital to fill institutional gaps and address pressing issues faced by migrant workers in Lebanon. The Philippine Embassy remains committed to promote awareness on key migration issues including human trafficking and illegal recruitment.

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