The Lebanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Houssam Diab, has said that the Lebanese Embassy has suspended issuing working visas to Nigerians seeking domestic work in Lebanon.
The Ambassador stated this on Thursday when the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa paid him a visit in his Abuja office.
He stated that the suspension started since May 1, following the video of Peace Busari, a Nigerian lady, auctioned by a non-Lebanese person on Social media in April this year, went viral.
According to him, the step was necessary in order to stem the tide for such categories of workers pending the time the procedure would be properly harmonised with the Ministry of Labour’s modalities.
He stated further that the Lebanese government, in conjunction with the Lebanese community in Nigeria, had brought back 69 out of 79 Nigerians allegedly stranded and abused by their bosses back to the country.
The Ambassador explained that the remaining 10 Nigerians have some cases to answer and would be repatriated home once they are through with their cases.
He clarified that the Embassy and the Lebanese community paid over $150,000 USD to evacuate the 69 Nigerians and also paid for their 14 days quarantine.
He added that the evacuees were not trafficked nor went to Lebanon illegally but were abused by their employers who also breached the working agreement and did not have money to bring them back.
Dabiri-Erewa, who went to find out when the remaining 10 Nigerians would be brought back into the country to start a new life, commended the Ambassador for his assistance, especially in evacuating 69 Nigerians and the safe release of the Nigerian lady who was advertised for sale on social media.
She said that NIDCOM is working out an arrangement with the Ministry of Labour to model it after the Philippines working scheme where verification and certification must be provided between agents, employers and prospective employees, to prevent further unfortunate cases.
She added that a platform should be available for aggrieved domestic staff to lay complaints, legally.
Dabiri-Erewa, however, said it is necessary for the public to know that the Peace Busari refused to come back to Nigeria but preferred to renegotiate with another employer in Lebanon and has since gained employment there.
