Lebanon is home to more than 250,000 migrant domestic workers, mostly women, who come from African and Asian countries and work in private householder. However, and with the economic crisis and the Covid19 pandemic that Lebanon is passing through lately especially after Beirut’s explosion, the situation of the migrant domestic workers is worsening day after day and more than ever. The ILO estimates that, in the early stages of the pandemic, on 15 March, 49.3 per cent of domestic workers were significantly impacted. This figure peaked at 73.7 per cent on 15 May, before reducing to 72.3 per cent on 4 June.
At the same time, many Lebanese employers are struggling financially amid the economic crisis and can no longer afford to pay workers to clean their homes, look after the children and cook. Under the kafala system, not only are their rights restricted but their lives are endangered as well, particularly as reports of abuse in the home have increased during confinement. Some of the migrant domestic workers have been abandoned by their employers on the streets, without pay, their belongings, or passports, while being unable to purchase tickets to return home.
Based on the above context, Fe-Male emphasized its “My fair home” Campaign this year, around the effects of the economic crisis and COVID19 pandemic on migrant domestic workers, highlighting new related data, human stories, recent news, experts’ opinions, advocates positions, services provided… This campaign first and for most provide a platform for the most marginalized to voice their needs and demands, and drives impact through engaging with the audience and directing their behaviors towards supporting and protecting the migrant domestic workers rights.
Note, that Fe-Male is managing “My Fair Home” online advocacy campaign in Lebanon for the 3rd consecutive year in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO).
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