The Migrant Worker Task Force, an activist group for the defence of migrant workers launches a video to mock the advertising video from the Ministry of Tourism that many considered sexist and put some light on the migrant workers lack of rights.
Few months ago the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism launched the “Lebanese Blues” campaign in its three versions (USA, France and UK). The idea of the campaign was to show how tourists got nostalgic for Lebanon after returning from their vacations there.
The adverts emphasize tourist attractions in Lebanon such as Lebanese cuisine, night life and sexy women. This last one triggered an anger reaction among Lebanese rights groups considering it a violation of women’s dignity and moral.
In the American version of the advert, a man is depicted as having completely lost focus at work because he is still thinking of scantily clad Lebanese women he saw while visiting Lebanon.
Hence, a Lebanese women's group has written a letter of objection to the Ministry of Tourism, which some bloggers have put online. Here’s an excerpt of what came in it:
“The truth is that we are not “free” women wearing bikinis and partying all night. The truth is that we are deprived, poor and oppressed. Our bodies which you say are free, are still subject to many social, domestic, legal and economic restraints. We, as injured and humiliated women, ask the Ministry of Tourism to recall this advert immediately and to apologize for this insult. Because our bodies aren’t delicious fruit to offer to consumers so they will visit the “homeland” to pick out what they desire.”
In light of the Ministry’s campaign, the Lebanese anti racism movement Migrant Workers Task Force (MWTF) released few days ago their three short videos entitled “Welcome to Lebanon,” at Saifi Urban Gardens in Gemmayze.
The videos focus on the foreign workers case in Lebanon showing how they are abused because of racism. “Shopping Paradise” shows that 85% of migrant workers don’t receive a regular day off, “Sea and Sun” shows that 80% of private beaches limit access for migrant workers and “Making Memories” shows how 56% of domestic workers are not allowed to leave the house.
“Shopping Paradise”:
The adverts emphasize tourist attractions in Lebanon such as Lebanese cuisine, night life and sexy women. This last one triggered an anger reaction among Lebanese rights groups considering it a violation of women’s dignity and moral.
In the American version of the advert, a man is depicted as having completely lost focus at work because he is still thinking of scantily clad Lebanese women he saw while visiting Lebanon.
Hence, a Lebanese women's group has written a letter of objection to the Ministry of Tourism, which some bloggers have put online. Here’s an excerpt of what came in it:
“The truth is that we are not “free” women wearing bikinis and partying all night. The truth is that we are deprived, poor and oppressed. Our bodies which you say are free, are still subject to many social, domestic, legal and economic restraints. We, as injured and humiliated women, ask the Ministry of Tourism to recall this advert immediately and to apologize for this insult. Because our bodies aren’t delicious fruit to offer to consumers so they will visit the “homeland” to pick out what they desire.”
In light of the Ministry’s campaign, the Lebanese anti racism movement Migrant Workers Task Force (MWTF) released few days ago their three short videos entitled “Welcome to Lebanon,” at Saifi Urban Gardens in Gemmayze.
The videos focus on the foreign workers case in Lebanon showing how they are abused because of racism. “Shopping Paradise” shows that 85% of migrant workers don’t receive a regular day off, “Sea and Sun” shows that 80% of private beaches limit access for migrant workers and “Making Memories” shows how 56% of domestic workers are not allowed to leave the house.
“Shopping Paradise”:
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