"The Community Organizing Journey of Lebanon's Migrant Domestic Workers"

The Anti-Racism Movement (ARM), a grassroots feminist organization advocating for migrant workers’ rights and solidarity in Lebanon, recently published a report documenting efforts by migrant domestic workers to organize for their rights. This research – covering the period from 1980 to 2022 – marks the first effort to thoroughly document the rich history of community organizing by migrant domestic workers in Lebanon – who numbered an estimated 250,000 in 2016.

Like workers in the Gulf, migrant domestic work in Lebanon operates under an exploitative Kafala system. It is not a codified law, but a set of procedures that are based on a law governing the entry and exit of migrant workers in Lebanon and managed by the General Security. In addition to restrictive migration regulations, domestic workers – Lebanese and foreigners alike – are excluded from the Lebanese labor law, leaving this already isolated group of workers vulnerable to exploitation.

Faced with widespread exploitation, migrant domestic workers in Lebanon have self-organized for years. Initially focused on relief initiatives led by faith and nationality-based organizations with male-centered leadership, the movement evolved as labor dynamics changed. It shifted towards more female-led political organizing that challenges the foundations of the Kafala system with rising attempts to organize across nationalities. This development is non-linear, influenced by crises, conflicts,  Lebanon’s changing political landscape, situations in home countries, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the recent economic collapse. The research maps these different initiatives and draws lessons highlighting challenges, opportunities, and recommendations...

Initially, migrant organizing was primarily facilitated by faith-based groups, organized around nationalities such as Sri Lankan, Filipino, Bangladeshi, and others. These groups initially focused on aid and social activities, not intending to become political or labor movements. However, as time progressed, there was a noticeable shift towards politicization and addressing specific needs and demands of migrant domestic workers...

Several significant obstacles hindered efforts by migrants to organize. Firstly, the nature of domestic work itself posed a challenge, as domestic workers lack a common workplace where they can gather and organize collectively. Unlike other industries where workers share working conditions and spaces, domestic workers often work in closed households, making organizing more complex.

Additionally, legal constraints played a significant role. Migrant workers do not have the legal right to organize in Lebanon, which not only made organizing efforts illegal but also imposed limitations on funding opportunities as many donors require formal registration for funding support.

Moreover, migrant organizing faced marginalization within the broader Lebanese labor and feminist movements. This exclusion limited the support and recognition of migrant organizing efforts by groups that should have been natural allies...

Despite facing unjust legal systems, restrictive working conditions, and socio-economic challenges, migrant workers in Lebanon have demonstrated remarkable solidarity, mutual aid, and community organizing...

Beyond leadership and governance, migrant movements face additional challenges. One significant challenge is what we refer to as the 'NGO-ization' of community organizing efforts, a problem highlighted during discussions with various groups. When NGOs get involved, they often come with good intentions and financial resources. However, as they work with grassroots groups, there's a tendency for them to impose an NGO structure and operational model on these groups, which can lead to various problems...