Under the title "Lebanon... The Crisis Drives Men to Work in House Cleaning," Sky News reported on the economic crisis that is exhausting the Lebanese people, pushing them to seek out every avenue to secure a livelihood. The article highlighted how, to provide for his family, Khodor carries a bucket, mop, and other cleaning tools, roaming the streets of several Lebanese cities looking for those who need their homes cleaned, a surprising trend that has emerged recently amid the tightening economic crisis.
Lebanese people believe that the crisis their country is facing has not left any profession restricted to one gender; everyone wants to work to provide for their daily needs. For the first time in Lebanon, men have entered the cleaning profession, including 30-year-old Khodor Ahmad, who was inspired to start a new job after the phrase "Come work for us" circulated on social media, following an ironic comment from some foreign workers as they were leaving for their countries about the state Lebanon had reached.
That painful phrase was enough to give the young man from Tripoli, northern Lebanon, the idea to begin working in house cleaning, both in his city and others, marking a precedent in this type of work. After opportunities in Khodor's life dwindled—being the head of a family with a sick wife, two children, and elderly parents—and due to the widespread unemployment in the country, he decided to borrow cleaning tools from a neighbor in search of a livelihood. Previously, he worked caring for an elderly sick man for pay, but the latter died last summer, closing that income opportunity for him.
Khodor, who spoke proudly and confidently about his work to Sky News Arabia, said: "What we live through is no longer hidden from anyone, and if I don’t work in this profession, my children and family will go hungry." He added, "The idea came to me after hearing the famous phrase that went viral on social media in the summer from some foreign workers at Beirut Airport, 'Come work for us.' Although I don’t have a nursing degree, I used to care for an elderly man for insufficient pay, and after his passing, I couldn’t find a job."
He continued: "This idea struck me, and I said to myself: Yes, why not do what they do? Especially since there is a crisis in Lebanon in securing assistance for housewives after most foreign workers traveled back due to the high dollar exchange rate, making it difficult for employers to pay their wages. I have experience from helping my mother and wife clean the house, so I found no difficulty in it."
**Beginning of the Story**
Khodor published his phone number in various locations, from Tripoli in the north and Jounieh, Beirut, to Sidon in the south, stating, "The place doesn’t matter; what matters is that I work," as he shared with Sky News Arabia. He added: "Distances do not deter me. I head to clean homes, especially in Beirut."
He mentioned, "I have many clients now. I ensure I work for open-minded families to avoid problems, and sometimes the women’s reactions are positive when a man helps them organize their homes, especially concerning buying vegetables and other necessities. I don’t just clean carpets, glass, and floors, but I also buy what the households need from the market.”
Regarding his wife’s stance on his profession, he responded, “She has no problem, as long as I provide our livelihood fairly.” Khodor added, "Circumstances have forced Lebanese people to overcome the idea that professions are exclusive to men or women. The essence now is how to earn money with dignity and not beg from anyone."
Khodor was unable to continue his studies due to his parents' financial circumstances, and he takes care of them as well as his wife and children, stating, "What matters to me is that they don’t need anyone but me." He hopes to find a respectable job with a good and stable monthly salary, instead of the income from the profession he has entered, which he claims isn’t enough. He added, "The rising prices and fuel costs are chasing me. Sometimes I have to walk to reach the homes of my clients."
He concluded by saying, "I am proud of my work, and this profession provides for me with dignity; I don’t beg from anyone. My advice to young people: do not sit with your hands folded; go work no matter how small the job is; work is an honor and pride."
