The Shelter: Supporting Migrant Domestic Workers amid War and Displacement

The September 2024 war in Lebanon has devastated nearly every aspect of life, impacting quality of life, destabilizing communities, and altering daily existence in countless ways.

Amid this hardship, another crisis emerges: the deepening struggles of marginalized migrant workers in Lebanon. Women from Ethiopia, the Philippines, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, and other countries are trapped under Lebanon’s restrictive “Kafala” system, which restricts their rights and movements in and out of the country.

Paired with the displacement of around 1.5 million people, many migrant workers were abandoned by fleeing Lebanese families and are now thus being forced into internal displacement.

In this article, we will highlight the gaps in protections for migrant workers in Lebanon, spotlight initiatives supporting these workers in times of war, and propose possible solutions to address this issue.

Overview of Migrant Workers’ Conditions in Lebanon

Migrant women in Lebanon, many of whom come from Africa and Asia, are trapped in abusive conditions due to the restrictive ‘Kafala system,’ which ties their residency to their employers. Excluded from Lebanese labor law protections, these workers are denied basic rights like fair wages, regulated hours, and the freedom to leave or change jobs. Forced to rely entirely on employers, they often endure withheld wages, confiscated passports, and relentless working hours without breaks. Additionally, Lebanon’s ongoing war has only intensified their struggles, with some employers even abandoning workers outside embassies, leaving them stranded without money or a way home. Despite years of advocacy, authorities have resisted change, driven by the profits that recruitment agencies earn from this system. Thus, trapped by legal exclusion and systemic neglect, these women endure exploitation daily, showing the urgent need for reform to protect Lebanon’s migrant workers.

‘The Shelter’: Initiative Supporting Migrant Workers in the Current Crisis

“The Shelter” initiative, founded by Dea Hage Chahine and Lea Ghorayeb, has become a critical support system for displaced migrant workers in Lebanon, particularly for Sierra Leonean women abandoned during the ongoing crisis. It first began as a grassroots response when the two founders saw dozens of migrant workers stranded outside their consulate in Ramlet El Bayda. It has now grown into a well-coordinated effort, with two shelters being established in critical areas in the countries. The first shelter in Hazmieh houses 190 women and children, while the other in Bourj Hammoud provides refuge to over 60 women. These shelters offer not only safe lodging but also a supportive community, with shared kitchens where women, divided into teams, take turns preparing meals from donated ingredients.

To meet the women’s essential needs, volunteers have tirelessly supplied items like mattresses, toiletries, and basic daily necessities. As both shelters have reached full capacity, the team is actively working to secure additional accommodations for migrant women left homeless. Moreover, beyond providing shelter, “The Shelter” initiative has taken on the challenging task of securing legal support for the women.

The team is working closely with the Sierra Leonean consulate and collaborating with international bodies, including the oversight Commissioner, the Directorate of Migration, and the Human Rights Commissioner of Sierra Leone, to obtain immigration clearances and exit permits. They are also in ongoing discussions with the Sierra Leonean government and UN organizations, such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), to arrange charter flights for safe evacuation, aiming to help these women return home. In fact, as of now, 130 women and their babies have registered for repatriation on a charter plane coordinated by the IOM on Tuesday, 19th of November 2024.

Furthermore, inspired by the initiative’s efforts, a group of students organized a donation drive to support their mission and are in the process of organizing another. During the first drive, we were able to gather essentials like apples, bananas, lentils, beans, rice, pasta, hygiene products, and other necessities. We then delivered these supplies to the Bourj Hammoud shelter, where we had the chance to connect with the migrant women and hear their stories firsthand.

One Sierra Leonean woman shared a glimpse into her painful experience: “Once the war started, they [the family] told me they were going to Canada, so they drove me to the consulate and left me there.” Her story echoes the stories of many others and highlights the vulnerability and abandonment migrant workers face in Lebanon, particularly under the Kafala System that has trapped them in dependency.

Through “The Shelter,” these women have found a temporary sanctuary and critical support amid Lebanon’s current hardships. However, the need for larger systemic reforms and increased international support remains urgent to protect migrant workers and help them safely navigate the crisis.

Resolutions Proposed to Address the Issue        

With the vulnerability of these women being amplified during the war, potential long-term solutions are needed to ease their burden and provide support with legalities.

Institutionalizing ‘The Shelter’

Given the gap in organizations in Lebanon solely working on migrant worker welfare and following The Shelter’s success, it is recommended to take steps to transform the initiative into a fully functioning NGO. By institutionalizing the initiatives, the founders would be able to establish specialized centers for migrant worker welfare in all districts, essentially inspired by social service agencies.

Activities of these shelters would include conducting monthly check-ups on households employing migrant workers and the employment agencies that recruit them. Additionally, activities would include the provision of – essential legal services to resolve disputes. Furthermore, the provision of health services is key, including check-ups tailored to these domestic workers. Finally, providing awareness and training programs to the workers would help them understand their rights and empower them with strategies to gain support.

The shelters could also offer workshops for employers, aiming to build better relationships with their workers and promote mutual understanding. To ensure workers have a safe way to voice concerns, this NGO could even develop anonymous reporting tools by establishing emergency hotlines staffed by trained professionals in the psychosocial field. This team would handle complaints confidently and ensure issues are resolved with the correct guidance.

Organizations such as the IOM, UNHCR, and ILO could play a pivotal role in making this happen by offering their expert advice, supporting the set-up of the centers, and guiding the development of reporting systems. Their support would ensure the NGO runs smoothly and meets international standards, making a real difference for migrant workers across Lebanon.

‘The Shelter’ as a safe space for migrant workers in Lebanon

In a post-war context, ‘The Shelter’ could potentially be transformed into a suitable space for migrant workers awaiting employment. By collaborating with architectural and interior design firms, The Shelter could improve the living conditions in the warehouse currently occupied by making it a comfortable and suitable space.

Paired with financial support from the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), these upgrades will focus on enhancing space zoning, sanitation, and communal areas, creating a safer and more comfortable environment for displaced and/or unemployed migrant workers.

Even in the short term, with the cold weather looming around the corner, winterization of this space is of the essence. By equipping it with multiple heaters and sustaining its infrastructure to manage rainwater and avoid floods, the space would be optimized, making it livable until full renovations can begin.

Using Advocacy for Policy Change

 Finally, to make the greatest impact and combat the discrimination and mistreatment of migrant workers, we must push the government to undertake legislative action and reform.

This could be achieved through a “Migrant Worker Protection Act” containing inclusive provisions to safeguard their rights and freedoms. Primarily, this could act as a replacement for the Kafala system by implementing standardized contracts that ensure fair wages and safe conditions. Also, it would introduce independent residency and work permits, granting workers the freedom to terminate their contracts without fear of deportation or forced labor.

A section on health and safety regulations would mandate regular inspections of workplaces and employment offices. Lastly, the creation of an overseas employment agency under this legislation would manage pre-departure preparation, verify contracts, and offer ongoing support and emergency assistance, particularly in times of crisis.

By considering these recommendations, the combat against unjust conditions would allow migrant workers to exercise their full rights and freedoms without fear of retribution in contexts of peace and war.