Today, we honour the resilience of migrant domestic workers in Lebanon — and we demand justice.

Through this illustrated story, we follow Mary, whose experience under the Kafala system reflects the daily reality of thousands of migrant women trapped in cycles of exploitation, racism, and violence. Like Mary, many migrant workers arrive in Lebanon following the hope to earn money to fund their dreams, whether it is enrolling in university or opening their own small business in their country. 

The recruitment through the Kafala system lures these young women with dreams and aspirations into a trap of labour exploitation and abuse. On the occasion of this year’s International Workers’ Day, we want to remind the world that migrant domestic workers are people with dreams, hopes and ambitions, which get taken away upon arriving in Lebanon. 

From having their passports confiscated at the airport to enduring constant labour exploitation, harassment, physical, verbal and sexual abuse, as well as wage theft, migrant domestic workers in Lebanon are denied fundamental freedoms and rights.

This Labour Day, we reject a system that treats workers as property.

It is time to abolish the Kafala system and include domestic work under the Lebanese Labour Law.

On this Labour Day, we also honour the strength and resistance of migrant workers — not just as labourers, but as community leaders, organisers, and advocates for change.

The Kafala system continues to exploit and dehumanise migrant workers across West Asia. But from shelters to childcare collectives, legal aid to protest lines, migrant-led communities are building power and fighting back.

Abolishing the Kafala system isn’t just a demand — it’s a call to centre migrant voices, fund grassroots organising, and reimagine a world where no worker is owned, silenced, or left behind.

✊🏾 This Labour Day, stand with migrant workers. Stand with community power. Stand for abolition.

On the occasion of this year’s International Workers’ Day, members of Reclaim Our Rights are sharing their thoughts and appreciation of what Labour Day means to them and how they celebrate it as community leaders, workers’ rights advocates, and survivors of the abusive Kafala system. 

N:

For me, this is my day. Labour Day honours workers and their contribution to society. So this day means a lot to me. Before, it did not have any meaning in my life. However, having worked as a migrant worker, I find this day very important. It shows how far I have come and the struggles I see migrants going through. This is the one day to honour the heroes, and my heroes here [in Lebanon] are the migrants and community leaders who show the truth that the Kafala system is flawed. Despite all the hardships they have been through and still experience, they still stand firm and smile. They still wake up the following day to continue fighting against the injustice under the Kafala system. They are the workers who have been through a lot and are still standing and willing to fight for others. I celebrate them on this day. They are my heroes today and every day after. This is the day I honour them. This is the day in my own quiet time when I say a silent prayer to all the workers all over the world, but especially to those who are trapped under the Kafala system in Lebanon. 

M:

For me, Workers’ Day is about me. It is my day, and I want to reward and clap to myself for all the hard work I do every day for my family, my friends, the family I’m working for, and most especially for my community. It is important to give credit to ourselves for working so hard.

MS:

Labour Day is a day to celebrate and reflect on the struggle and the amazing work that we are doing. But we also use this day to acknowledge our suffering. We celebrate this day with joy but also to remember everything that we have been through as migrant domestic workers. Today brings out the best in us because we are able to express ourselves and share our stories with ourselves and the public. We can voice our concerns, the things that we face and the things we want to change. So it is a special day for us, and we celebrate it in a way that reflects on our achievements as migrant workers and the things we want to achieve in the future as community leaders. 

MA:

International Workers’ Day is Labour Day.  Labour Day is the day when we remember the contributions and struggles of workers all over the world. It is a day to honour the achievements of the labour movement. Labour Day is the day to recognise the dignity of workers. Labour Day is also to advocate for fair wages. It is a day to advocate for safe working conditions and social justice. It is a day to remember the ongoing fight for equality and the importance of standing in solidarity with other workers. This day is also to remember domestic workers are workers who should be respected and protected under the same labour laws as all workers.