Voluntary code of conduct by the recruiting business in order to regulate domestic work

The Safir newspaper published an investigation report on the ‘market’ of domestic work in Lebanon which currently includes approximately four hundred and sixty companies recruiting foreign women workers, of which one hundred and twenty companies are operating without a license. The report underscored the deception, abuse, exploitation and violations to which women domestic workers are subjected. Meanwhile, the syndicate of companies recruiting women domestic workers approved and adopted a voluntary code of conduct that will be released today at 4 pm at the ‘Sagesse’ University in the presence of representatives of the Ministry of Labor, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and UNHCHR.
The code of conduct that was approved by the syndicate during their last general assembly held last February, aims at ‘internally’ regulating the sector and at strengthening social responsibility within that business community so as to protect the rights of the foreign domestic women workers while safeguarding the interests of the companies. The code of conduct also aims at combating illegal establishments on one side, and increasing the credibility and transparency of the legally registered establishments on the other, particularly in their relation with the foreign embassies.
Finally, the Safir report raises serous doubts on the true motivations behind this move particularly since the code of conduct is voluntary and non-binding, thus concluding that it is a mere public relation initiative.
Source: Al-Safir 6 June 2013