Source: CCTV.com

01-19-2007 18:15

Palestinian refugees in Lebanon have a hard time making a living, with low wages and a lack of available jobs. These workers are limited to jobs like restaurant waiters, farmers, or electricians within the camp. The job situation is even harder for women, whose wages are even lower than the men. In today's Working Asia, Mohammad Reza Dehshiri, from Iran's IRIB station, takes a closer look at Palestinian workers in Lebanon.

As Palestinians suffer hardship in Lebanon, young children and women in countries like Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia are being sold as beggars and prostitutes. In tomorrow's Working Asia Series, we take a look at how the Anti-Trafficking Campaign in the Mekong River Area can help those in trouble.

Restaurant waiter Bassam Halvant said "The situation is very bad and disappointing at our camp. We don't have any opportunities here. Supporting ourselves and making a living is extremely hard. Since we are forbidden to work outside the camp, the wages are very low."

Beautician Ibtesam Abdolghader said "My wages are unpredictable. It is based on the number of clients. All of the Palestinian girls are in a horrible situation. Our main problem is the lack of eligible bachelors for us to get married. We are so deprived due to the low wages. We are hoping God can help us."

Electrician Mohammad Salameh said "There are no more jobs at our camp and our income is very low. Palestinians live under a horrible condition with no schools and with social and psychological problems. Our camp is just one square kilometer and about 10,000 people live here."

Computer student Fatemeh Abdolghader said "I don't have any kind of identification, so I can't get my bachelor's degree. Because of that, I can't get a job either. Luckily, I got accepted to a smaller university since higher education is forbidden for Palestinian people."

Farmer and gardener Mohamad Ebrahim said "I work on farms outside of the camp. "

Question: But I heard working outside of the camp for Palestinians is not allowed.

"That's true, especially for white collar jobs like governmental or official work. However, Palestinians are allowed to do hard labor work and earn the lowest wages outside of the camp. These jobs include, farming and horticulture. I earn 10 dollars daily as an unskilled laborer."

 

Editor:Du Xiaodan