Recruitment agencies and employers oppose MWDW’s new work contract

Al Diyar cited a number of reactions to the standard unified work contract issued by the labor ministry on September 8 and which is projected to come into effect today. Recalling, that human rights activists have dubbed the contract as a backslide towards the abolition of the abusive kafala (sponsorship) system (https://bit.ly/3mC2ZOB). On the subject, Al Amin, head of the Union of Owners of Recruitment Agencies, disclosed that the Syndicate is bracing for an appeal against the law, making it clear that the union has no objection to the provisions guaranteeing the basic rights of migrant women domestic workers (MWDW), except for the one that supports the right of the worker to terminate the contract at anytime, demanding impartiality between the two parties of the contract. For his part, lawyer Walid Azar, explained that in the event that the worker commits any felony or offence, the employer will be pursued, stressing the need to find a middle ground between how to effectively protect the rights of the worker and, at the same time, spare employers the consequences of the worker’s behavior. Al Diyar related different views of employers. Nisreen, for example, stated that the moment the draft law comes into force, she will dismiss the worker, alleging that “I am still her sponsor and she is my responsibility” and therefore she cannot leave the house. On the other hand, another employer, Manal, welcomed the new work contract maintaining that it upholds the basic rights of the migrant domestic worker. Meanwhile, International Information researcher, Mohamad Shamseddine, revealed that around 30,000 MWDWs have left the country since the start of 2020 until August, as compared to 23,000 workers last year. Reasons for leaving varied between the economic downfall, the coronavirus pandemic and ill-treatment by some employers. (Al Diyar, September 18, 2020)

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