The scenes of the Ethiopian domestic
worker being beaten outside the Ethiopian consulate were considered as a crime
by all those who saw them. The Lebanese state mobilized its efforts, especially
the cabinet and the Lebanese public opinion that strongly denounced what
happened, calling for harsh sanctions against the perpetrator of such acts in
the future.
Ali Mahfouz is the man seen in the video
footage, abusing the Ethiopian worker; LBCI identified him through his plate
number. Ali tried to justify his act by denying that he beat her; he stressed
that the worker tried to commit suicide more than once and that he tried
dealing with her humanely, but she refused to go to the airport for
deportation.
Labor Minister Salim Jreissati told LBCI
that the Ministry of Labor decided to take the necessary measures to punish the
perpetrator who turned out to be an employee in the domestic workers’ office.
Jreissati said that the ministry summoned the domestic workers’ office for an
urgent meeting on Monday, adding that a formal complaint will be registered.
As for Chakib Kortbawi, he told LBCI
that this act cannot be justified, adding that justice will be served and that
the public prosecution launched an investigation in this case.
The Ethiopian Consulate’s employees
told LBCI that they remember the incident, adding that it is not one of its
kind. They called on the Lebanese authorities to interfere and protect Ethiopian
nationals.
Caritas identified the Ethiopian
worker, stressing that they were following up on her case since she was
admitted in Deir el-Salib hospital two weeks ago.
This Ethiopian girl may be lucky
that pictures of her were taken while being abused, but many other domestic
workers are being beaten and abused behind closed doors.