December 1, 2022

Hundreds of migrant domestic workers (PRT) from several countries who migrated to Lebanon were abandoned by their employers, amid the economic crisis that has worsened since late 2019. According to the Human Rights Institute, Human Rights Watch (HRW), the Lebanese government has not done much to help Migrant domestic workers hold their employers accountable, or simply protect the basic rights of migrant workers, Wednesday (16/9/2020.)

Reporting from the HRW website, the situation of migrant domestic workers is getting worse and most of them are homeless or homeless, after the explosion at the port that destroyed Beirut. As migrant domestic workers in Lebanon have little or no legal protection, migrant workers have started asking their embassies to facilitate their return home.

Because the cost of air tickets continues to rise sharply, as well as complaints that are not responded to by state officials serving in the embassies, and allegations of physical violence by some embassy officials, many migrant workers are confused. Prior to the Beirut explosion, many migrant domestic workers were displaced and living on the streets or in temporary shelters, they could only rely on local organizations to survive.

According to HRW, after the explosion, many migrant domestic workers lost their passports, money, and other possessions. The explosions have destroyed shared accommodation and temporary shelters for migrant domestic workers. In addition, many reported experiencing discrimination in receiving assistance, including access to adequate shelter.

Migrant workers from Kenya, Gambia and Ethiopia are stepping up their calls for repatriation, which are reinforced by local organizations. They say they were silenced by the Lebanese government and authorities. A local non-governmental organization (NGO) has helped pay for flights home for 38 Gambian migrant workers. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is assisting 13 Nigerian workers who were repatriated between May and August.

On September 4, Lamia Yammine Douaihy, the Lebanese Minister of Manpower, announced a new employment contract regulation for migrant domestic workers. While the announcement is an important step, it does not abolish the draconian kafala (visa sponsorship) system that binds workers’ legal status to their employers, and which has left many migrants stranded in Lebanon in the first place. According to HRW it is still unclear how the new contract will be launched or enforced.

The Minister of Manpower must demonstrate its seriousness about the rights of migrant domestic workers by assisting workers who have been abandoned by their employers. Lebanese authorities must ensure migrant workers have food and shelter, and hold abusive employers to account. In addition, the Lebanese government, country of origin, and international humanitarian agencies must ensure that workers who wish to return home can do so.

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