The Peace on The Horizon - 75 Years after The World War 2 in the Middle East (113)

 

(Japanese Version)

(Arabic Version)

 

(contents)

 

Chapter 4: War and Peace in The Middle East (27)

 

112 East of Nakba(great catastrophe) (2/3)

In the Gulf countries, they called migrants coming from abroad as "guest workers" and called themselves as "host countries". Palestinian migrants who spoke Arabic and worshiped together at the mosque on Friday were the best "guest workers" for “host countries”. However, do not be misled by the softness of the word "guest". Palestinians coming to Gulf countries in search for getting a piece of oil wealth were merely migrant workers. Palestinians were given cold shoulder. Inhabitants in the Gulf countries were blind to own faults and abused the Palestinians. Children imitate their parents and teased Palestinian children irrationally.

 

Palestinians, however, had to endure remained silent, otherwise they might lose good salary which was pretty high than their home country. Their status was unstable. The employment contract was depended on the temper of their lords. The lords were easily dismissed migrants and expelled them. Migrants were exactly modern slavery.

 

It is necessary to point out that migrants are different from immigrants. Immigrants are those who emigrated from other countries and acquired the citizenship of that country. Although there might be social discrimination, immigrants have the same political rights and the right of social security same as the original citizens. But migrant “guest” workers are not given such a right.

 

The Palestinians were obviously more educated, experienced and diligent than the Kuwaitis or Saudis. But under the modern slavery system of migrant workers, they had to endure humiliation and continue their duties. They sent the most of their salary to their relatives at home. Someday in the future when they would retire and return to home, it might be their dream to build an apartment and become a landlord, or to open a small shop and become the owner of self-employed business.

 

(To be continued ----)

 

 

Areha Kazuya

(From an ordinary citizen in the cloud)