Irbid: exposed as hothouse for abuse of foreign factory workers

Irbid has a substantial case of worker sex abuse in factories: uncovered; the Gaza flotilla and on what grounds Israel has banned it, though it carries Jewish Americans; How to spend your idle time this summer (if you are endowed with weeks of summer vacation).

Bangladeshi, Sri-Lanki and Chinese workers are suffering in the second largest populace of Jordan in Irbid. Factory workers they are exposed to sexual abuse.

Jordan Journals [2]

abuse in Irbid

"It seems that Qualified Industrial Zones are law unto themselves. There have been many stories over the years about abuse in the factories set up there to take advantage of the Free Trade Agreement between Jordan and the USA. There are thousands of Sri Lankan, Bangldeshi and Chinese women who are slave labour in these factories owned by foreigners. Hardly any Jordanians work in these places as the wages are so low. Recently a USA human rights organisation wrote a report on the sexual abuse in one particular factory. "

UNTAMED SHREW [3]

The Gaza flotilla: an analogy

"In his latest logic-defying statement, Israel’s UN envoy has said that Israel is determined to stop the flotilla to Gaza because “Israel has the right to self-defense.” Call me crazy, but I wasn’t convinced that nuclear-armed Israel needs to defend itself against a group of unarmed civilians who have no intention of even going to Israel. So I tweeted about it."

Desert Peace [4]

WHY THIS YOUNG AMERICAN JEW IS SAILING TO GAZA

"I am one of a growing number of young American Jews who are determined to shake off an assumed – and largely imposed – association with Israel. Prominent advocacy organizations, such as the American Jewish Committee, which proudly proclaim their unconditional support of Israel, for several years have been declaring their “serious concern” over the increasing “distancing” of young American Jews from the state."

Sietske in Beiroet [5]

The Art of Being Idle

"School’s out! Dutch children have to do with a meager six weeks summer holiday, but here in Lebanon, we do it differently. My daughter has eleven weeks; her brother gets fourteen (!) before he returns to the classroom. I get a lousy eight weeks, but knowing that the poor inhabitants of the ‘no vacation nation’ get only 10 days off with pay, and will in general not take all as it “ might look like they're not committed to their job“’, I guess I will take my eight weeks without complaining."