BEIRUT:
Over 150 people attended a rock concert over the weekend at the recently
reopened T-Marbouta cafe in Hamra organized by the American University of
Beirut (Human Rights Club in collaboration with the Migrant Workers Task
Force.Attendees paid an entrance fee of LL10,000 with proceeds going toward the
purchase of supplies for English and Computer courses offered free to migrant
workers at Zico House, Sanayeh and the Migrant Community Center in Nabaa.
Performances
came from Mohammad Hodeib, Entity, The 80’s Revolution, Resonance, and EEE’s.
Prior
to the music, a buffet of Ethiopian food was served which included: “Doro Wat,”
a spicy chicken dish; “Enjera,” Ethiopian bread, lentils; and “Alchamote,” a
salad made from carrots, potatoes and beans.
The
highlight of the night’s music came following the scheduled performances, when
Eddouard Abbas, from Lebanese hip-hop group Fareeq al-Atrash, was joined on
stage by an Irish guitar virtuoso known endearingly as “Irish Don,” in an
impromptu collaboration that no one expected. Following their performance, the
event developed a certain spontaneous open-mic feel, with Edd exclaiming at one
point: “Welcome to T-Marbouta has talent.”
On
each table, small cards written by migrant workers were placed detailing the
difficulties and discrimination they have faced living and working in Lebanon
both from employers and Lebanese society in general.
One
such card, whose author was anonymous, read: “Some employers treat us as though
they own us ... We came here as employees not as slaves, and we should be
treated as such.”
Speaking
to The Daily Star, Janie Shen, one of the founding members of MWTF, described
the event as a positive way to spread awareness of migrant workers’ issues and
recruit new volunteers to help the organization’s initiatives at Zico House and
The Migrant Community Center.
Chen
commented that while there has been an increase in advocacy and campaigning for
the rights of domestic workers in Lebanon following the tragic death of
Ethiopian Alem Dechasa-Desisa in March of this year there is still a long way
to go.
“Human Rights Groups and
NGOs have become more active and migrant communities themselves have become
more mobilized,” said Chen. “However, for real, concrete change to occur, we
need to change attitudes and perceptions both in society at large and on a
legal level.”
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2012/May-28/174816-aub-organizes-rock-concert-in-hamra-to-promote-migrant-workers-rights.ashx#axzz1w9O3wqeD
No comments:
Post a Comment