The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, issued a stark warning to Kenyans in Lebanon, urging them to vacate the country due to escalating unrest and violence.
This advisory which came amidst Lebanon’s ongoing crisis serves as a reminder of the challenging working conditions experienced by Kenyans in the Middle East country.
It followed a broader, long-standing ban that Kenya imposed on its citizens seeking employment in Lebanon to deter them from going directly or sneaking into the country to seek domestic work, a decision that was deeply rooted in serious human rights concerns.
Lebanon, traditionally a destination for Kenyan migrant workers setting their eyes in the Middle East, particularly those seeking domestic and skilled labor positions, has been the subject of international scrutiny over its treatment of migrant workers.
The plight of Kenyan workers in Lebanon has been marked by severe abuses and exploitative labor practices, driven by systemic issues within the Lebanese labor framework.
In response to these abuses, Kenya has consistently been taking measures to protect its citizens.
Kenya Bans Citizens from Working in Lebanon
The Kenya Times obtained a letter from the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, dated August 24, 2023, which provided an update on the state of Kenyans travelling illegally as migrants to work in Lebanon.
The then Principal Secretary for State department for Labor and Skills Development Geoffrey Kaituko confirmed that the suspension of Kenyan migrant workers’ clearance to Lebanon, first imposed in early 2022, remained in effect.
Also Read: Kenyans in Lebanon Asked to Leave Immediately
The PS cited the challenging labor conditions they faced upon arrival in the country.
“As you may be aware, clearance of Kenyan migrants destined for Lebanon for work purposes was suspended early in 2022 owing to the challenging labor conditions they faced upon arrival in the country,” read part of the letter.
He said that the suspension was still in force until all the outstanding issues were resolved and a proper bilateral framework put in place to guide the labor migration process.
Notably, this suspension was part of a broader pattern of diplomatic and regulatory challenges between Kenya and Lebanon.
Kenyans have historically faced difficulties with Lebanese labor practices.
Human Rights Violations
Dating back to 2012, Kenya halted the recruitment of domestic workers to the Middle East after numerous reports of abuse, including sexual violence and extreme mistreatment.
The decision was prompted by harrowing accounts from returning workers and criticism of unscrupulous recruitment practices.
A significant factor in the exploitation of Kenyan workers in Lebanon is the kafala system—a labor sponsorship framework that has been heavily criticized for its abuse of migrant workers.
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Despite attempts at reform, the kafala system remains in intact, placing excessive power in the hands of employers. This system restricts workers’ rights to change jobs, exit the country, or seek redress, effectively leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
A report by Migrant Workers’ Action (MWA), supported by the Counter Human Trafficking Trust – East Africa (CHTEA), highlights the grave consequences of this system.
Workers under the kafala system face severe labor abuses, including withheld wages, poor working conditions, and physical, verbal, and sexual abuse. Many are forced into destitution or illegal status, lacking any effective grievance mechanisms or legal protection.
Efforts to Address Ties
Efforts to address these issues have seen both Kenyan and Lebanese governments working on reforms. However, as noted in various reports, these reforms have largely been ineffective.
For example, the Lebanese Standard Unified Contract, which was supposed to protect workers’ rights, often remains unenforced, and legal resources for migrant workers are scarce.
Similarly, Kenya has established mechanisms such as the State Department for Diaspora Affairs and proposed the Kenyan Migrant Worker Welfare Fund to support its citizens abroad, though practical implementation has lagged.
According to a 2022 report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), Lebanon saw a notable influx of Kenyan workers in 2021, with 3,233 new arrivals.
The trend continued into October 2023 when 1,500 Kenyans were reported to have left Kenya for Lebanon under a deal between the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) and various agencies.
Many of these workers, predominantly female, sought employment in domestic roles, while others filled skilled positions in fields such as technology, agriculture, and hospitality in Lebanon and other gulf countries.
Musalia Mudavadi on Kenyans who have died in Gulf States
In his report while appearing before the Senate plenary, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said that at least 316 Kenyans have died working in the Gulf States since 2022 to date.
Mudavadi further indicated that the government is negotiating with the gulf countries to improve working conditions.
“The records we have, show that the total number of Kenyans who have lost their lives in the Gulf region is 316,” he said.
The states include Saudi Arabia with 166 deaths, Qatar 58, UAE 51, Iraq 25, Bahrain 10, Kuwait 6, while Oman and Iran have zero deaths.
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