Filipina domestic worker commits suicide in Lebanon: embassy | ABS-CBN
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Filipina domestic worker commits suicide in Lebanon: embassy
Filipina domestic worker commits suicide in Lebanon: embassy
Agence France-Presse
Published May 25, 2020 06:44 AM PHT
BEIRUT - A Filipina domestic worker has committed suicide in Lebanon at a shelter run by her embassy, consular officials said Sunday, days after a rights group complained about accommodation at the shelter.
BEIRUT - A Filipina domestic worker has committed suicide in Lebanon at a shelter run by her embassy, consular officials said Sunday, days after a rights group complained about accommodation at the shelter.
The embassy, in a statement posted on its Facebook page, said the unnamed "household service worker" arrived on Friday at the shelter and the next day "reportedly jumped from a room she was sharing" with two others.
The embassy, in a statement posted on its Facebook page, said the unnamed "household service worker" arrived on Friday at the shelter and the next day "reportedly jumped from a room she was sharing" with two others.
She died of her injuries on Sunday, it said, adding that "details of the incident are currently being investigated".
She died of her injuries on Sunday, it said, adding that "details of the incident are currently being investigated".
An estimated 250,000 domestic workers -- mostly from Ethiopia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka -- live in Lebanon, many in conditions condemned by rights groups.
An estimated 250,000 domestic workers -- mostly from Ethiopia, the Philippines and Sri Lanka -- live in Lebanon, many in conditions condemned by rights groups.
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Those conditions have worsened in recent months as Lebanon is grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades, as well as a coronavirus lockdown.
Those conditions have worsened in recent months as Lebanon is grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades, as well as a coronavirus lockdown.
Some Lebanese families have started paying their home help in the depreciating local currency, while others are now unable to pay them at all, with increasing reports of domestic workers being evicted onto the streets.
Some Lebanese families have started paying their home help in the depreciating local currency, while others are now unable to pay them at all, with increasing reports of domestic workers being evicted onto the streets.
A sponsorship system known as "kafala" excludes maids, nannies and carers from Lebanon's labour law, and leaves them at the mercy of their employers, who pay wages as low as $150 a month.
A sponsorship system known as "kafala" excludes maids, nannies and carers from Lebanon's labour law, and leaves them at the mercy of their employers, who pay wages as low as $150 a month.
The death of the Filipina domestic worker comes after a visit to the embassy shelter by a delegation from Lebanon's National Human Rights Commission.
The death of the Filipina domestic worker comes after a visit to the embassy shelter by a delegation from Lebanon's National Human Rights Commission.
On Monday the commission, in a letter sent to the embassy and posted on Facebook, criticized conditions at the shelter.
On Monday the commission, in a letter sent to the embassy and posted on Facebook, criticized conditions at the shelter.
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"The occupancy exceeds the official capacity," it said.
"The occupancy exceeds the official capacity," it said.
"Respect the minimum requirements for daily outdoor exercise" and "make available appropriate psychological support to all women and staff," the rights group added.
"Respect the minimum requirements for daily outdoor exercise" and "make available appropriate psychological support to all women and staff," the rights group added.
It also called on Lebanese authorities to "ensure that migrant domestic workers are protected from exploitative working conditions during the lockdown".
It also called on Lebanese authorities to "ensure that migrant domestic workers are protected from exploitative working conditions during the lockdown".
A video posted by the embassy on its Facebook page Monday said the shelter was currently home to 26 people who receive "all meals and necessities" free of charge.
A video posted by the embassy on its Facebook page Monday said the shelter was currently home to 26 people who receive "all meals and necessities" free of charge.
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© Agence France-Presse
Editor's note:
Editor's note:
A group in the Philippines is dedicated to addressing those who have suicidal tendencies.
A group in the Philippines is dedicated to addressing those who have suicidal tendencies.
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The crisis hotlines of the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation aim to make these individuals feel that someone is ready to listen to them.
The crisis hotlines of the Natasha Goulbourn Foundation aim to make these individuals feel that someone is ready to listen to them.
These are their hotline numbers:
These are their hotline numbers:
Information and Crisis Intervention Center
(02) 804-HOPE (4673)
0917-558-HOPE (4673) or (632) 211-4550
0917-852-HOPE (4673) or (632) 964-6876
0917-842-HOPE (4673) or (632) 964-4084
Information and Crisis Intervention Center
(02) 804-HOPE (4673)
0917-558-HOPE (4673) or (632) 211-4550
0917-852-HOPE (4673) or (632) 964-6876
0917-842-HOPE (4673) or (632) 964-4084
In Touch Crisis Lines:
0917-572-HOPE or (632) 211-1305
(02) 893-7606 (24/7)
(02) 893-7603 (Mon-Fri, 9 am-5 pm)
Globe (63917) 800.1123 or (632) 506.7314
Sun (63922) 893.8944 or (632) 346.8776
In Touch Crisis Lines:
0917-572-HOPE or (632) 211-1305
(02) 893-7606 (24/7)
(02) 893-7603 (Mon-Fri, 9 am-5 pm)
Globe (63917) 800.1123 or (632) 506.7314
Sun (63922) 893.8944 or (632) 346.8776
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