Millions of women from poor countries migrate to the Middle East to undertake domestic work in order to support their families at home. This book examines the slavery-like conditions of these female migrant domestic workers, with specific reference to the Kafala system of sponsorship. Using Lebanon as a case study, the author sheds light on how human rights and labour rights abuses are perpetuated, despite attempts by activists in these countries to introduce attitudinal, cultural and legislative reform. He highlights the structural as well as cultural dimensions that make migrant domestic workers vulnerable to abuse, and looks at the need for reforms to democratize the system with fundamental rights for migrant workers. The analysis covers a number of dimensions, including all forms of abuse, restriction of freedom and economic exploitation, and explores the psychodynamics of the migrant domestic worker as a stranger in the household. A timely contribution to the study of migrant workers, this book will be of great interest to students and scholars of sociology, anthropology, globalization, gender studies, labour rights, international labour and migration studies.

For over half a century, the Middle East has been major migration corridor for domestic workers from Asia and Africa. This book Illuminates the multidimensionality of these workers' lives as they engage in finding a balance between acting and being acted upon, struggle and accommodation, and movement and stasis.

For over half a century, the Middle East has been major migration corridor for domestic workers from Asia and Africa. This book Illuminates the multidimensionality of these workers' lives as they engage in finding a balance between acting and being acted upon, struggle and accommodation, and movement and stasis.

Asian Migrant Workers in the Arab Gulf States (edited by Masako Ishii, et al.) examines how nationals and migrants construct new relationships in the segregated socioeconomic spaces of the region

At least 146,000 female migrant workers - perhaps many more - are employed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Female domestic workers from the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Ethiopia, and elsewhere face severe abuse and exploitation by employers and labor recruitment agencies. "I Already Bought You" : Abuse and Exploitation of Female Migrant Domestic Workers in the United Arab Emirates documents how the UAE's visa sponsorship system (known as kafala) ties migrant workers to employers and how the exclusion of domestic workers from labor law protections leaves migrant domestic workers at risk of abuse. The report exposes barriers preventing abused domestic workers from obtaining remedy, including lack of shelters, penalties for "absconding" workers, and justice system failings. Based on interviews with 99 female domestic workers, recruitment agets, employers, and others in the UAE, the report documents abuses that domestic workers face - passport confiscation, non-payment of wages, lack of rest periods and time off, confinement to households, excessive work and working hours, food deprivation, and psychological, physical, and sexual abuse. In some cases the abuses amounted to forced labor or trafficking. The UAE has an increasingly influential role in the international labor arena. In 2014, it joined the governing body of the International Labor Organization. At home, however, it maintains the exploitative kafala system, has failed to adopt a bill pending since 2012 on domestic workers' rights, and has yet to ratify key international treaties on migrants' and domestic workers' rights. Human Rights Watch calls for the reform of the kafala system and the introduction of labor law protections and other measures to fully protect domestic workers' rights. -- back cover.

Page 1 opens with a jarring turn: "Filipina domestic worker, employed in Riyadh: 'Really they are good to me. If I say I need rest, they give me rest.' [And if they were not so good to you, if you would have some problem with your employer, where would you go?] 'Madam, I cannot go anywhere, I am not allowed to go outside. I cannot go to the embassy. I will just cry in my room and pray.'" This book explores the duality and conflicts faced by the desperate employee far from home, having signed a contract written in Arabic, her passport held by her employer, and with limited power as a woman to be a witness in court against a man. DOMESTIC WORKERS IN SAUDI ARABIA AND THE EMIRATES is a new socio-legal study of pressing questions of human rights, contractual freedom, transnational markets, and social policy: Which factors influence the emergence and character of conflicts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates between domestic workers and their employers, the social and legal norms both parties refer to, and the related imbalance of power? In what way and to what extent do domestic workers and their employers refer to Islamic, customary, contractual, and formal legal norms? Do conflicts concern disagreement over norms or disputes regarding behavior contrary to the norms upon which both parties agree? Which factors influence the norms that both parties refer to in conflicts? Which party is able to enforce its own norms or to act contrary to norms on which both parties agree and which factors influences the balance of power? Using a grounded-theory methodology involving extensive field research and revealing interviews of workers, employers, employment agencies, human rights organizations, and governmental officials, Vlieger exposes the multifacets and dilemmas of the people and institutions involved. Finally, she proposes pragmatic solutions to prevent the most excessive vulnerabilities and imbalances. This is an upsetting and candid introduction to another world, supported with scholarly research but accessible to the general reader, as well as academics and human rights activists. Part of the Human Rights and Culture Series from Quid Pro Books.