The use and abuse of domestic workers: Case studies in Lebanon and Egypt

This chapter presents information from two surveys of migrant domestic workers one in Beirut, Lebanon and the other in Cairo, Egypt. It examines the social profiles of migrant workers who are recruited through two very different procurement and placement systems and to evaluate their living and working conditions and the types and frequency of abuses perpetrated against migrant domestic workers. Paid domestic workers are in a unique employment relationship that has both occupational as well as personal elements that are clearly identifiable in Arab states. Egypt differs from most Arab countries that host organized migrant contract labor. In recent years it has received many thousands of refugees from sub-Saharan Africa. Beyond their working conditions, migrant domestic workers suffer a wide range of human rights abuses that violate international agreements. One of the most common complaints of migrant domestic workers and their advocates is the withholding of passports by employers that violates women’s rights to freedom of movement.