Most Domestic Workers Worldwide Lack Legal Protection

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for domestic workers worldwide]

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Working behind closed doors of private households, domestic workers are shielded from public view and attention and most are unprotected by national legislation. International Labour Organisation (ILO) says at least 52 million people around the world – mainly women -are employed as domestic workers. Between the mid-1990s and 2010, there was an increase of more than 19 million domestic workers worldwide. Many migrate to other countries to find work. However, many domestic workers experience poor working conditions and insufficient legal protection. Only 10% of all domestic workers are covered by general labour legislation to the same extent as other workers. About 29.9% are completely excluded from national labour legislation. The precarious legal status of migrant domestic workers and their lack of knowledge of the local language and laws, make them especially vulnerable to abusive practices, such as physical and sexual violence, psychological abuse, non-payment of wages, debt bondage and abusive living and working conditions. [ILO]

Pray for domestic workers:

  • Pray that the rights and protection of domestic workers can be upheld;
  • Pray that God will rescue them from unjust bondage and exploitation.

Pray for Conflict Affected Lisu in Myanmar

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for the displaced Lisu]

Last June, the conflict between the Burmese government and the Kachin rebel group in Myanmar has forced some 75,000 people displaced. CEDAR has been supporting one local Lisu church partner to provide emergency relief (food items and clothes) to displaced refugees. Unfortunately, the conflict has intensified recently.

For many years the Lisu people are caught in between the fighting and conflict of the KIA armed group and Burmese military forces. The Lisu people have no arms and do not fight but often out of their will reluctantly became a source of supply to the two armed groups. Their crops & livestock get taken away, their children get kidnapped and conscript to work as porters and child soldiers.

Our local church partner is now taking care of displaced Lisu people who are seeking safety at their churches and student hostels. As these newly arrived Lisu children and youth do not speak Burmese, our partner is hoping to provide tutoring lessons to assist them to pursue an education while giving the the children protection at the hostel. The annual cost to recruit four teachers is US$7,200.

Pray for the displaced Lisu:

  • Pray that our partner is able to hire teachers to give lessons to the war affected Lisu children;
  • Pray for more humanitarian access into the conflict area to meet the dire needs of the large displaced population;
  • Pray for a long-lasting peace in the affected areas.

Donate now to provide learning opportunty & education to displaced Lisu children.

Emergency Assistance to Cold Wave Victims in Bangladesh

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for Cold Wave victims in Bangladesh]

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The country has been experiencing its record lowest temperature since 1968. Severe cold wave is sweeping over the north and west regions of Bangladesh. CEDAR’s partner KOINONIA said, ‘People there are crying for the support while near about 100 people died in last 24 hours [on 8 January] according to the Disaster Management Bureau of Bangladesh.’ Many people have suffered from cold-related diseases. Another one or two cold waves will hit the country in coming two months. CEDAR is going to allocate funds to our local partner KOINONIA to respond to the dire needs of the victims.

Pray for Cold Wave victims in Bangladesh:

  • Our partner KOINONIA has collected warm clothes for sufferers; pray that partner is able to raise sufficient fund to purchase 10,000 blankets;
  • Pray for involvement of local churches in distribution of blankets to the victims;
  • Pray also health and survival of Cold Wave victims.

Concern on the Oppression against Women in India

Posted on by 施達基金會

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Numerous protests in Delhi broke out and there is now a global concern on the situations and rights of women in India after a female victim of a savage rape died recently. In recent years, Indian women have more opportunity going out to work and participating in politics, but crimes against women in India are rising too. Reported rape cases rise by 9.2% and trafficking by an alarming 122% in 2011. Each year more than 100,000 women are killed by fires in India. Analysts say deep-rooted changes in social attitudes are needed to make India’s women more accepted and secure. Many citizens queried if the political parties and politicians would take any actions to protect the women when the political parties in the last five years have fielded candidates for state elections that included 27 candidates who declared they had been charged with rape, as well as there are six elected state legislators who have charges of rape against them. [BBC]

CEDAR’s partners in India are addressing this issue on violence against women in their own respectively programmes. Our partner EFICOR is bringing awareness collectively among women self help groups on such incidents and to pressurize local administration with prompt actions.

Let us pray together:

Oh God, we are deeply aware of our afflictions and pains in the face of the death of a savage rape victim in India. We lift our hands in prayer. Hear us from Your heavenly dwelling.

May the victim be granted eternal rest in Your peace. May Your comfort be with her family and friends. May women and girls from India who have suffered from sexual abuses receive healing. May Your presence be felt in their difficult times.

We thank You for the quick response of Indian government and the law court. We seek for Your justice.

Pray that the offenders can have a broken and repentance hearts. Pray that the society in India to  deal with widespread misogyny and take appropriate measures to protect the women.

Please raise up Your church to be peacemaker. Where there is hatred, there is always light from You. Where there is sadness, may Your church bring Your love and comfort.

Amen.