Human Rights Magazine

Kafala in Lebanon - legal slavery?

Michel Khneifes Season 2 Episode 16

The Kafala system is a form of worker sponsorship that allows private citizens and companies almost total control over the employment and immigration status of migrant workers.

Lebanon has some 250,000 migrant domestic workers, most of them women from Africa and Asia. The labour laws do not provide them protections that other workers have, like a minimum wage or pay for overtime, limits on their working hours, or a day off. 

The Kafala system is one of virtual slavery and exploitation.  In this episode, Michel Khneifes explores the dynamics of Kafala in Lebanon.

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