How has Lebanon’s economic crisis affected African domestic workers?

Lebanon is in the midst of one of the most severe and prolonged economic depressions the world has seen. More than 80% of the population live in poverty and their currency has reached a record low. It’s left many struggling to afford essential goods like food, fuel and medicine.

Ethiopians make up the majority of the 250,000 domestic workers there. For many of them, life has become so much worse. Migrant domestic workers operate under what’s called the “kafala system” a labour sponsorship that forces foreign workers to seek their employer's permission to change jobs or leave the country. Human rights groups describe the system as modern-day slavery.

Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje has been looking at the impact the economic crisis has had on African domestic workers who are already marginalised and often mistreated.