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.