Resources on Domestic Workers in Arab States

  1. What works and what doesn’t in reducing migrant women workers’ vulnerability to forced labour and human trafficking?

    22 May 2023

    An event held in Beirut, marking the completion of a 10-year ILO labour migration programme, presented lessons learned and findings that can guide future efforts to tackle challenges related to forced labour and trafficking of women migrant workers.

  2. Joint Statement by the ILO and UN Women on the occasion of the Global Day of Action for Care

    29 October 2022

  3. © ILO 2024
    Lebanon Minister of Labour visits ILO for talks on new government decent work priorities

    02 November 2021

    Lebanon’s newly appointed Minister of Labour has met with ILO Regional Director for the Arab States Dr. Ruba Jaradat to outline cooperation on the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda.

  4. © ILO 2024
    Speech of Dr. Ruba Jaradat, ILO Regional Director for Arab States at the 47th Arab Labour Conference

    05 September 2021

    The speech highlights the need for a multi-pronged strategy in the Arab States region to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  5. Domestic work is work!

    16 June 2021

    Lebanese NGO Kafa has produced this video with the support of the ILO in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour to coincide with International Domestic Workers’ Day, to highlight the need to recognize domestic work as a sector and how decent work principles should apply to domestic workers irrespective of their nationality.

  6. Women migrant domestic workers in Lebanon: A gender perspective

    16 June 2021

    This paper illuminates the gender dimensions of women migrant domestic workers’ lived experiences in Lebanon under the kafala system. It examines the circumstances of women migrant domestic workers who live with their employer (live-in workers) and those who do not (live-out workers).

  7. ILO Regional Office welcomes announcement of Saudi reforms on labour migration

    06 November 2020

  8. In the Shadow of the State: Recruitment and Migration of South Indian Women as Domestic Workers to the Middle East

    02 June 2020

    This background paper describes and analyses the drivers, pathways and experiences of migrant women from South India as domestic workers in Gulf countries. It is based on primary and secondary research.

  9. Impact of COVID-19 on migrant workers in Lebanon and what employers can do about it

    14 April 2020

    This brief provides a summary of the particular vulnerability of migrant workers during the COVID-19 health emergency, with a focus on migrant domestic workers, who in Lebanon are mainly employed inside people’s homes. It recommends practical actions in line with the principles of integrity, gender equality and respect for diversity, all of which contribute to peace, social justice and stability in societies.

  10. ILO in Lebanon issues guidance to families and other employers of migrant workers in light of COVID-19

    14 April 2020

    The pandemic has compounded a political and financial crisis in Lebanon, increasing the vulnerability of migrant workers, especially those employed inside family homes.