Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) - Lebanon (Ratification: 1977)

Articles 1(1) and 2(1) of the Convention. Vulnerable situation of migrant domestic workers with regard to the illegal exaction of forced labour. Referring to its earlier comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that the National Steering Committee has drafted a Bill on the regulation of the work of domestic workers, which is to be reviewed by the House of Deputies. It also notes with interest the preparation of a Guiding Manual for migrant female domestic workers, as well as the promulgation by the Minister of Labour of Order No. 38/1 of 16 March 2009, relating to the implementation of a consolidated labour contract for domestic workers and Order No. 52/1 of 28 April 2009, extending the coverage of social security to all foreign workers in Lebanon, including domestic workers.

The Government also indicates that a working team has been established by Order No. 8/1 of 20 January 2009, whose task is to monitor the work of employment agencies which bring in migrant domestic workers, to examine requests to establish new agencies for bringing in workers and to investigate the complaints against such employment agencies, as well as complaints filed by domestic workers against employers. In this regard, the Minister of Labour issued Memorandum No. 21/1 of 20 February 2009, which regulates the work of the team, in particular examining and investigating the complaints filed against the employment agencies which bring in female domestic workers. Furthermore, the Minister of Labour promulgated Order No. 13/1 of 22 January 2009, regulating the employment agencies which bring in migrant female domestic workers.

While noting this information, the Committee asks the Government to provide a copy of the Bill on the regulation of the work of domestic workers referred to above, once it has been adopted by the House of Deputies. Please also continue to provide information on the activities of the National Steering Committee and on the various measures taken, both in legislation and in practice, to protect migrant domestic workers with a view to the complete elimination of the exaction of forced labour from this category of workers.

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.