Insan workshop on the sponsorship (Kafala) system and its impact on the livelihoods of migrant women workers

Insan kicked off yesterday a two day workshop on the sponsorship (Kafala) system.  The event was held in Hazmieh with the attendance of representatives of organisations working on legal issues related to migrant women workers.  The event was also attended by former Minister of Labor Charbel Nahhas, the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Lebanon Ranjith Gunarathna and a representative of the Philippine Ambassador to Lebanon.
The seminar included a review of the clauses of the ILO Convention 189 on the rights of migrant domestic workers. Participants also discussed steps needed so that Lebanon ratifies this Convention.  Nahhas noted for his part that migrant domestic workers need to be included in the provisions of the Labor Law.  He reiterated the fundamental right of all to be protected from any form of discrimination in work arguing that the sponsorship system has no legal or cultural basis in Lebanon.
Source: Al-Mustaqbal 10 December 2013