Lebanon Crisis Leaves 177,000 Migrant Workers Stranded as Employers Flee Conflict

The ongoing conflict in Lebanon, sparked by a Hamas-led attack on Israel, has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement.

Many of the approximately 177,000 migrant workers, largely women from Africa and Asia bear the brunt of the crisis. Left behind as their employers fled the violence, these workers are experiencing a profound sense of vulnerability and abandonment. Among them is Lina, a 29-year-old housekeeper from Kenya, who found herself isolated in her Beirut apartment after her employers departed amid the escalating military strikes.

Lina's plight exemplifies the fears shared by countless migrant workers left to navigate their precarious situation without support. As Lebanese residents seek safety, the conditions for low-paid migrant workers have come under scrutiny. The exploitative kafala system, which ties migrants' legal status to their employers, has trapped many workers in situations of abuse and exploitation, leaving them without options for alternative employment.

With overcrowded shelters unable to accommodate the influx of displaced individuals, many migrant workers are forced to sleep on the streets, exposing them to threats of violence and assault. Reports of systemic discrimination and hazardous living conditions are widespread, with women particularly at risk. In response to the escalating crisis, community organizations such as Egna Legna are stepping up to provide critical assistance.

Founder Banchi Yimer reports that her team has documented over a thousand abandoned workers in just a few days, spotlighting the urgent need for support. However, the extensive scale of the crisis poses significant challenges to these efforts. Limited resources from a few embassies, including those of Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines, have provided shelters for their nationals, though many migrants remain stranded.

The costs of evacuation flights have surged, now exceeding double the usual rates, creating a barrier that many cannot overcome. The Kenyan government has issued warnings against travel to Lebanon due to the lack of formal labour agreements and guaranteed rights, although this has little impact on those currently facing confinement. The feelings of hopelessness are echoed by Vionnah Kerubo, another Kenyan domestic worker, stuck in an untenable situation as her employer refuses to release her.

The relentless bombings intensify her fear and desperation. The current crisis mirrors the experiences of migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic when many were similarly abandoned by employers unable to fulfill their financial obligations. The inadequate response from consulates has amplified the suffering, compelling migrant workers to rely solely on each other for assistance and solidarity in these dire circumstances.