The repercussions of the economic crisis in Lebanon on its female migrant domestic workers

Abstract

During the civil war in the 1980s, Lebanon immerged as a destination for Asian and African workforce. They emanated to work and replace the lowskilled Lebanese who generally shied away from undertaking labor work that was hard and degrading in their eyes, and to respond to the lack of manpower due to emigration. Most of these migrant laborers were female domestic workers. From October 2019, the country sank into a severe economic and financial crisis that resulted in serious shortage of foreign currencies. This article investigates the impact of the crisis on the emigrant laborers, namely the female migrant domestic workers, from October 2019 till the closure of the Lebanese Rafik El-Hariri International Airport n 18 March 2020. The research relied on statistical analysis of official public data, as well as content analysis of interviews with key people relevant to the subject. It aims to shed light on the importance of female migrant workers, their roles in the Lebanese households, and their vulnerability during times of crisis. It also showcases the fate of a once thriving industry that relied on the recruitment of domestic workers in local households.