WUNRN
KAFA (enough) Violence & Exploitation - http://www.kafa.org.lb/
Policy
Paper on Reforming the “Sponsorship System” for Migrant Domestic Workers:
Towards an Alternative Governance Scheme in Lebanon
Direct Link to Full 58-Page January 2012 KAFA Document: http://www.kafa.org.lb/StudiesPublicationPDF/PRpdf47.pdf
In recent years, the
“sponsorship system” (kafala) in Lebanon and in other
countries in the region has been identified as a core problem leading to the
exploitation and abuse of migrant domestic workers. Previous studies published
by KAFA (enough) Violence & Exploitation have argued that “sponsorship” is
one root cause for migrant domestic workers’ vulnerability to forced labor,
physical and sexual abuse, as well as trafficking.2 This policy paper on the
alternatives to the “sponsorship system” builds on previous research conducted
by KAFA which called for the reform and/or abolition of this regulatory and
customary system, and addresses gaps in existing research that fell short in
proposing concrete measures.
The policy paper
attempts to provide policy makers, human rights advocates and other relevant
stakeholders with a framework for the implementation of a rights-based approach
to the recruitment and employment of foreign domestic workers, as well as
examples and lessons learned from other countries to guide in the development
of this alternative policy.
We hope it will offer
all relevant stakeholders a new discussion platform to debate and develop
alternative immigration and employment mechanisms for migrant domestic workers
that protect their rights and effectively prevent trafficking and exploitative
situations from occurring.