KENYAN domestic worker Eulita Jerop is among many who are desperate to leave Lebanon as the threat of an escalating conflict looms large over the country. Employed as a domestic worker on the outskirts of Beirut for the past 14 months, Jerop has been living in fear due to the terrifying and unfamiliar sounds of military aircraft overhead. She describes the situation as increasingly untenable, with her fears mounting alongside the growing tensions in the region.
‘It was so scary. We were told it wasn’t bombs, but planes breaking the sound barrier,’ Jerop, 35, told the BBC, recounting the loud booms that have shaken her and others in her situation. The fear and panic shared among domestic workers like Jerop have been exacerbated by the precarious circumstances they face in Lebanon, particularly under the restrictive and often exploitative kafala (sponsorship) system.
The kafala system, prevalent in several Middle Eastern countries, ties a worker’s legal status entirely to their employer. This system, which affects an estimated 250,000 foreign workers in Lebanon, often results in employers holding onto workers’ passports and controlling their ability to leave the country. For many domestic workers, this means that even if they have a passport, they still need an exit visa approved by their employer to leave the country. This requirement makes it extremely difficult for them to leave, especially in times of crisis like the current situation in Lebanon.
With conflict between Israel and Hezbollah intensifying, many countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Australia, have urged their citizens to leave Lebanon immediately. However, for workers like Jerop, leaving is not a simple option. Her employer, like many others, has insisted she stay, arguing that ‘the situation has been here in Lebanon for many years, and there is nothing to worry about.’ This dismissive attitude toward the workers’ fears only compounds their anxiety and sense of helplessness.
The financial burden of leaving Lebanon is another significant hurdle for these workers. Flights to Kenya can cost up to $1,000, an amount far beyond the reach of many domestic workers whose salaries have been severely impacted by Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis. ‘Few flights are available, and they are very expensive,’ Jerop said, expressing the frustration and despair felt by many in her position. The economic crisis has seen a drastic reduction in wages for domestic workers, with some not being paid at all due to the financial strain on their employers.
The kafala system, prevalent in several Middle Eastern countries, ties a worker’s legal status entirely to their employer
Chiku, another Kenyan domestic worker in Lebanon, also faces the impossible task of affording a flight home. Living in Baabda for nearly a year, she expressed her frustration and fear: ‘I personally would like to go back home. But the tickets are so costly, and my mum and dad also can’t afford that money.’ Despite her desire to leave, her employer has told her she must stay until her contract is completed. Chiku, like many others, is left to question whether her contract is worth more than her life.
The dire situation of these workers has drawn the attention of human rights organisations, which have long criticised the kafala system for its inherent exploitation and abuse. The system, which is still in place despite calls for significant reforms, leaves workers vulnerable to mistreatment and restricts their freedom of movement, especially in times of crisis.
Despite the dangerous circumstances, the Kenyan government has promised to implement an evacuation plan if the conflict in Lebanon escalates further. Roseline Kathure Njogu, head of diaspora affairs for the Kenyan government, stated that the department is prepared to issue emergency travel documents for those without their passports and would provide emergency flights if necessary. ‘We have around 26,000 Kenyans in Lebanon, and 1,500 have registered with us for evacuation,’ she assured.
Similarly, the Ethiopian government is preparing contingency plans to evacuate its citizens if the situation deteriorates further. However, as Banchi Yimer, the founder of an organisation supporting the rights of Ethiopian domestic workers, points out, many Ethiopian women have been stranded in Lebanon since the country’s economic collapse in 2020, long before the current conflict began. ‘Many cannot even afford rent or medical assistance, let alone a flight home,’ she says, highlighting the long-standing struggles these workers face.
While foreign embassies continue to work on evacuation plans, many workers feel abandoned by their governments and left to fend for themselves in an increasingly dangerous environment. Chiku, like many others, is trying to save enough money for a flight home but worries about those who are less fortunate. ‘But what about the others who can’t?’ she asks, voicing the concern shared by so many who are trapped in Lebanon with no clear way out.
The situation in Lebanon underscores the urgent need for international attention and action to protect the rights and safety of these vulnerable workers. As tensions in the region continue to rise, the plight of domestic workers like Jerop and Chiku serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict and the pressing need for reform in systems like kafala that leave so many at risk.
Credit: BBC
