Tens of thousands of domestic workers are expected to head to Lebanon following the agreement. But there are still concerns over lack of protections for basic rights.
Around four hundred thousand Ethiopians, many of them women domestic workers, are believed to live in the gulf nation. Ethiopia had banned labor migration to Lebanon over recurrent reports of abuses. That hasn’t stopped thousands from travelling to the country through informal channels.
Lebanon is one of the preferred destinations for Ethiopian economic migrants particularly those from rural households.
Yet the country’s treatment of foreign workers has long been a topic of concern for labor rights advocates. Several Ethiopian domestic workers have reported died as a result of suicides following abusive treatment from employers. The “kafala” or employer sponsorship system in the country is deemed discriminatory. Sexual harassment is also reportedly rampant.
Earlier this year Ethiopia’s Labor and Skills Ministry signed an agreement with its Lebanese counterpart which will effectively lift the ban. During the signing the ministry had said they reached agreements obtaining raises in worker salaries and freedom of movement among other things.
However, rights groups say the agreement still lacks minimum wage requirements and offers no legal protection for domestic workers who are no covered in Lebanese labor laws.
With the approval of the lower of house of parliament, however, the agreement has gotten the legal greenlight which means thousands could be heading, legally, to Lebanon soon.
