Ethiopian Migrant Workers; Strategic Indifference and The Cycle of Inequality

Abstract

Ethiopian migrant workers have been identified to be one of the most vulnerable populations in Lebanon especially after a series of crises, starting in October 2019 at the onset of popular uprising, to a devastating explosion in the port of Beirut, as well as detrimental economic and political crises, and the global pandemic COVID-19. Migrant workers have furthermore succumbed to severe financial losses after either losing their jobs, suffered severe financial losses, or found themselves stuck in the loop of modern slavery under the restrictive system of Kafala. Sights of hundreds of Ethiopian women could be seen gathered in front of the Ethiopian consulate, under harsh conditions of homelessness and excruciating legal standing. Thus this thesis aims to find out the extent which strategic indifference to the Kafala system impacted the working conditions and legal standing of Ethiopian migrant workers. With this the roles of organizations as well as civic action has played a role in appeasing these realities, adding to the recommendations set forth.