JUL 08 -
It is a well known fact that everyday, hundreds of Nepali youth flock abroad, especially to the gulf countries, as migrant workers. They make this decision in hopes of finding greener pastures, but in reality, they have to face various kinds of physical and mental torture. The situation takes a much graver turn when we begin to consider the plight of female migrant workers.
To highlight these trends and the problems faced by migrant workers—both at the national level and internationally—photo.circle organised the 52nd edition of its photography presentation programme at The Bakery Café, Sundhara on Saturday. The programme included presentations by Nepali photographer Phurpu Tsering Gurung and Swedish photographer Lucas Pernin, both of whom showed a selection of their photographs on the theme of migration. Spanish photographer Arantxa Cedillo and senior Nepali documentary filmmaker Kesang Tseten were there to critique the presentations.
First up was Gurung, presenting in the internal migration category. His photo slides showcased the lifestyle of children labourers working for the construction of skyscrapers in Kathmandu. Pointing towards one of the pictures, Gurung informed the gathering that many of these boys enter Kathmandu, their dream city, after their SLC or +2 looking for job opportunities. “Many of them have dreams of serving in the army. During my stay with them, they told me to take pictures so that they could show them to people back home.”
Gurung’s second presentation took the audience a little away from the country and into Bangladesh, showcasing the lives of rural Bangladeshis who work with clay to make products ranging from pottery to materials for dams.
Swedish freelance photographer Pernin focused on the theme of external migration. His work reflects the situation of migrant workers in Lebanon who have faced repeated abuses from their masters. Workers often do not get paid for their work, get sexually abused, and how many have attempted to escape from their circumstances. The photographs are part of Pernin’s forthcoming book titled Kafaala Consequence.
Pernin’s photography also illuminates the plight of female migrant domestic workers who are facing problems due to discriminatory migrant laws in Lebanon as well as the language barrier. “I did this story after five months of research in Lebanon and its purpose is to tell the story of how the women have been victimised,” Pernin told the gathering.
photo.cirlce organises such presentations on the first Saturday of every English month
Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/07/08/entertainment/outbound-and-beleaguered/356796/
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