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By Assan Sallah.
At least 45 stranded Gambian girls in Lebanon have appealed to the Gambia Government to repatriate them as soon as possible, following Tuesday’s explosion in Beirut. The girls who are trapped in Lebanon are believed to be trafficked to work in Lebanon on contract basis. They claimed to have been subjected to all forms of inhumane treatment and most of them have regretted going to Lebanon in search for jobs.
A massive explosion occurred in Central Beirut on Tuesday, 5th August 2020, in which dozens were killed and several others injured. The explosion which shattered buildings across the city occurred near Beirut’s Port in the Lebanese capital.
Speaking to The Digest News, one of the girls (name withheld) said her journey to Lebanon was facilitated by one Mrs Silviane Mheice, a Lebanese national residing in the Gambia through an agent. She travelled to Lebanon in 2013 and had since been working there. She complained of the bad working conditions, coupled with the harassment from their bosses. She said Gambian girls are being maltreated in Lebanon and there is little or no chance of escaping from the authorities. “Since the explosion occurred on Tuesday we are terrified and confused, we need help. This place is no longer safe for us. We want to go home,” she cried.
She also disclosed that their passports were seized since they set foot at the airport and all their documents are with their agents and bosses.
“There is another office in Sur, Lebanon called Saleh Services. It belongs to Madam Sabaah. She has a lot of contacts with Gambian agents and she brought most of the girls here,” she further revealed.
Another girl who spoke to The Digest News under conditions of anonymity said she has rented a small room together with four other girls. According to her, they abandoned their jobs, and rented a small room to live. She disclosed that she has a work contract for two (2) but she could not finish due to maltreatment and harassment. She said they are given less food to eat and they over work without good pay. She stated that she worked for only eight (8) months and left.
“They transferred me to various places to work but I have been subjected to all forms of maltreatment. I cannot even have money to send to my parents now. Some of us are tortured seriously and if you complain to the police, they will lock you up. Last Tuesday, an explosion occurred here in Beirut and the scene of the incident is not far from our house. We ran out of the building and went to the bush. We are appealing to the Gambia Government to help us and repatriate us back home. We are suffering,” she remarked.
Reacting to this development, Saikou Ceesay, Communications Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, said there are plans to evacuate these girls from Lebanon. He said going by the records of the Consular, there are at least 45 Gambian girls in Lebanon but was quick to add that this figure will be further confirmed.
“The Gambia Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Office of the President, Office of the Vice President, International partners and the Gambia Consular in Beirut, are working on a plan to repatriate the girls. We are aware of what is happening in Lebanon and we will do our best to evacuate them,” he said.