Lebanon moves to reform sponsorship system, but abolishing kafala still far off

Amid an increasingly desperate situation for migrant domestic workers in Lebanon, many of whom have been tossed out by their employers and are trying to return to their countries, the country’s outgoing labor minister took a step to strengthen foreign workers’ rights.

Human rights groups have long condemned the “kafala” sponsorship system that ties migrant workers’ legal residency to a specific employer and does not allow them to easily leave exploitive or abusive work situations.

Lebanon’s labor code specifically excludes domestic workers, meaning they are not subject to the same minimum wage and labor protections as other employees in Lebanon.

English | September 8, 2020

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