RIZ KHAN
Domestic workers in the Middle East
Their welfare is in the hands of their employers and tales of abuse are
numerous.
Last Modified: 23 Sep 2007 12:33 GMT
In countries that do not recognise the rights of
household servants, many face harsh conditions
In a case that has made global headlines, the fate of a young girl hangs in the
balance as a delegation from her homeland pleads for her life. Rizana Nafeek,
the daughter of a Sri Lankan wood cutter, faked her age in order to gain
employment in Saudi Arabia and earn money for her family. Only 17, she soon
found herself caring for a baby who choked to death while she was feeding him.
She confessed to murder but claims it was under duress. Now her fate hinges on
an appeal or a 'pardon' from the parents of the deceased baby.
But the case of Rizana Nafeek is only one of thousands in the Middle East where
workers, often from impoverished Asian countries, seek employment with the
hopes of supporting their families back home. Working in countries that do not
recognise the rights of household servants, their welfare is in the hands of
their employers and tales of abuse and harsh conditions are numerous.
On Wednesday's Riz Khan we look into the plight of domestic workers in the
Middle East and find out what, if anything, is being done to protect them.
Joining the show from Beirut is Kanwal Tariq Hameed an experienced activist on
behalf of domestic workers and from Washington DC Melanie Orhant, managing
attorney for the 'Break the Chains Campaign' will also join the programme.
Watch this episode of Riz Khan here:
Watch this episode of Riz Khan Street Talk here:
This episode of Riz Khan aired on Wednesday 25 July 2007.
Don't miss Riz Khan live at 19:00GMT, when you can call with your questions and
comments. Riz Khan is also shown every day at 00:00GMT, 05:00GMT, and 09:30GMT.
------------------------------------
Post message: [email protected]
Subscribe : [email protected]
Unsubscribe : [email protected]
List owner : [email protected]
Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
[email protected]
[email protected]
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[email protected]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
