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Migrant domestic workers take to the streets in Beirut

Demonstrators called for basic rights, including a minimum wage and at least one day off per week.

Hundreds of migrant domestic workers marched in Beirut to mark International Workers' Day. They were joined by allies and supporters. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
Hundreds of migrant domestic workers marched in Beirut to mark International Workers' Day. They were joined by allies and supporters. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
By 
Anne Paq
7 May 2016

Hundreds of migrant domestic workers marched in the Lebanese capital Beirut this week to mark International Workers’ Day and to denounce their own working conditions. The demonstrators called for the implementation of ILO Convention 189, which stipulates that domestic workers have the right to at least one day off per week and a minimum wage.

Of the 200,000 migrant domestic workers in Lebanon, most work as live-in maids, and they primarily hail from the Philippines, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. They cannot enter or leave the country for any reason without obtaining explicit written permission from their employer, making them vulnerable to exploitation.

Some of the most blatant violations of the rights of migrant domestic workers in Lebanon include excessive working hours, withholding of salaries, beatings and sexual abuse, and withholding of passports to prevent them from leaving. However, the workers are not protected by Lebanese labour laws. Last year, in an effort to improve their situation, migrant domestic workers in Lebanon moved to form their own labour union.

According to a study by the human rights group KAFA, 62 percent of migrant domestic workers work between 16 and 20 hours a day and are unable to take breaks. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
According to a study by the human rights group KAFA, 62 percent of migrant domestic workers work between 16 and 20 hours a day and are unable to take breaks. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
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Many of the workers are locked in the houses of their employers with their identity papers confiscated. They are also forced to wear uniforms. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
Many of the workers are locked in the houses of their employers with their identity papers confiscated. They are also forced to wear uniforms. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
The workers marched to mark International Workers' day for the seventh year in a row. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
The workers marched to mark International Workers' day for the seventh year in a row. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
'Our rights have to be respected. I know too many people who have big problems. I know someone who is at the hospital. She was tortured with electricity. We have to shout for our rights,' said Samuel, a domestic male worker from Ethiopia. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
'Our rights have to be respected. I know too many people who have big problems. I know someone who is at the hospital. She was tortured with electricity. We have to shout for our rights,' said Samuel, a domestic male worker from Ethiopia. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
Demonstrators demanded the ratification and implementation of ILO Convention 189, which provides basic protections for domestic workers. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
Demonstrators demanded the ratification and implementation of ILO Convention 189, which provides basic protections for domestic workers. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
'I am here because of the money issue. The salaries are too low. I work 24 hours a day. I have only one Sunday off every two weeks and I get paid just $200 per month,' said Binta, from Mali. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
'I am here because of the money issue. The salaries are too low. I work 24 hours a day. I have only one Sunday off every two weeks and I get paid just $200 per month,' said Binta, from Mali. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
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'I feel good today. We are here, all the workers, to ask for justice. We want better salaries and Sundays off. There is a lot of racism in the Lebanese society,' said Melinda, from the island of Mauritius. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
'I feel good today. We are here, all the workers, to ask for justice. We want better salaries and Sundays off. There is a lot of racism in the Lebanese society,' said Melinda, from the island of Mauritius. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
According to the KAFA study, 82 percent of the female workers found themselves coerced into forced labour. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
According to the KAFA study, 82 percent of the female workers found themselves coerced into forced labour. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
Migrant domestic workers in Lebanon moved to form a union early last year, the first of its kind in the Arab world. To date, it has not been recognised by the Lebanese government. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
Migrant domestic workers in Lebanon moved to form a union early last year, the first of its kind in the Arab world. To date, it has not been recognised by the Lebanese government. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
'We are totally dependent on the employers. For 20 years now, my employer has had my passport. I want to go. But I do not know what to do. In 20 years, I only went back once to my country. My mother is dead, my daughter is dead, and I have not seen them. I want justice. I want to go home," said Jackie, from Mauritius. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
'We are totally dependent on the employers. For 20 years now, my employer has had my passport. I want to go. But I do not know what to do. In 20 years, I only went back once to my country. My mother is dead, my daughter is dead, and I have not seen them. I want justice. I want to go home," said Jackie, from Mauritius. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
Demonstrators demanded an end to the kafala system, under which their legal status is dependent on their employers. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
Demonstrators demanded an end to the kafala system, under which their legal status is dependent on their employers. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
'I feel very happy because we are united today,' said Evangila, from the Philippines. This week's march ended with speeches and dances. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
'I feel very happy because we are united today,' said Evangila, from the Philippines. This week's march ended with speeches and dances. [Anne Paq/Al Jazeera]
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