From the Far East to the Middle East : the foreign workers rebuilding the region

Leave to return stronger. Indians, Filipinos, Yemenis, and Ethiopians : many workers from precarious countries have followed this reasoning. But where to go ? Nestled between Asia and Africa, the Middle East has been, since 1945, the primary destination for their migration. A melting pot of civilizations, this vast region, extending from the Eastern Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean, has also emerged as a gigantic economic construction site. In the 1970s, the influx o Asian workers surged like never before. The efficiency and diligence of recruitment agencie supported by local sponsors (kafils), facilitated their arrival and integration, challenging th migration flows from Arab countries, often organized individually.

Credit : israelvalley.com

By 1986, 97% of identified Filipino workers had migrated through recruitment agencies, both private and governmental. Unfortunately, the Mediterranean basin, which could have been a true melting pot, is not one. Migrant workers are frequently victims of exploitation and abuse. Since the late 1950s, the “kafala” system (sponsorship), operational in Iraq and Lebanon, has weighed heavily on these workers. This system grants government-designated sponsors the right to control the worker’s fate, strengthening a form of modern servitude.

However, much like other critical issues in this complex region, the chains of this unequal system are showing signs of wear and will eventually break. Significant progress has already been mad in several countries to improve the living conditions of foreign workers. Through reforms, preventive, and coercive measures, Gulf countries are striving to establish policies more respectful of human rights. In Lebanon, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Walk Free Foundation recently published a report entitled “The Other Migrant Crisis : Protecting Migrant Workers Against Exploitation in the Middle East and North Africa.” Launched in Beirut during a regional dialogue called “Bringing Innovation Forward : Combating Trafficking in Persons and Exploitation of Migrant Workers in MENA,” this document was made possible through the support of the European Union and co-financed by the Italian Ministry of the Interior. These joint initiatives call on governments to take concrete action to protect migrants.

A new dawn is rising over the Mediterranean basin. Thanks to advances in social protection and new professional opportunities, coupled with a surge of solidarity from Asian agencies toward local populations devastated by years of war, climate disasters, and terrorist attacks, a promising balance is taking shape. This paves the way for lasting collaborations. From the Far East to the Middle East, the region is increasingly demonstrating its capacity to embrace diversity, becoming more elastic and conducive to integration.

When the Arab league moves to break the chains of modern slavery : the end of Kafala ?

The progress made in recent years signals a more equitable and humane future for migrant workers. As early as 2009, the United Arab Emirates adopted an electronic wage protection system (WPS) to address frequent reports of unpaid wages, ensuring that workers receive their salaries on time and in full. All companies employing 100 or more workers are required to comply with the WPS guidelines, with a fine of 10,000 dirhams per affected worker. By 2013, nearly million workers were receiving their wages via the WPS, providing electronic evidence of their payment.

In addition to combating economic violence, physical and psychological abuse is also a priority. Alarming data collected for the report “The Other Migrant Crisis : Protecting Migrant Workers Against Exploitation in the Middle East and North Africa” reveals that of 162 victims, 100% had their passports confiscated, 87% were confined to their workplaces, and 61% were victims physical violence. These figures led the Arab League, in 2012, to adopt Resolution No. 879-27 even before the final report was published, marking a turning point in the fight against hu trafficking. This key resolution led to the implementation of professional training programs aim at offering victims a new chance to rebuild their futures away from past sufferings. Launched in 2014, the Business Training initiative for Filipino victims in Lebanon illustrates this progress. Thanks to collaboration between the IOM and the Philippine Embassy, these workers received business training, providing them with strong career prospects as a stepping stone for reintegration.

Meanwhile, ongoing reforms to the kafala system in some countries in the region offer a hopeful glimpse into the future of migrant workers, promoting greater transparency and respect for human rights. The efforts led by Swiss Ambassador Monika Schmutz Kirgöz in Beirut, in collaboration with the Directorate of Development and Cooperation (DDC), exemplify this commitment. By establishing decent working conditions for migrant workers and refugees, including the introduction of a standardized contract for domestic workers, the DDC stands as a valuable ally.

No longer lost in translation : the integration of migrant workers with local populations

The final stage in the overhaul of an inequitable socio-professional system is to restore true communication. The subtle yet deep barrier of language divides humans. Exchange, in all its forms, is an essential lever to overcome cultural differences and build bridges between seemingly irreconcilable worlds. The word “foreigner” then transforms into “fellow.” In the production of the report “The Other Migrant Crisis,” a series of roundtable discussions organized by Jordan, composed of both NGOs and members of the ministerial delegation, highlighted a crucial issue : the reception of migrant workers upon their arrival in the host country. Too often, these workers face palpable reluctance, exacerbated by the language barrier.

Responsive to this stumbling block, Israel has emerged as a pioneering country in restoring dialogue through engaging and educational training programs. The “Shalom Namaste” project perfectly demonstrates the success of social and professional integration between the 3,500 Indian workers who immigrated to the Jewish state and the Israelis. This application, adopted by Dynamic Staffing Services (DSS), teaches Hebrew while explaining the rules of local culture.

Samir Khosla, the head of DSS, points out that these workers live at the heart of the local population, far from the ghettos or labor camps that, in other Gulf countries like Oman or Bahrain, isolate migrants into specific neighborhoods. In Oman, for instance, labor camps are concentrated west of Muscat, between Medinat Tabous and the Seeb International Airport, while in Bahrain, foreign workers are often relegated to the island of Sitra, south of Manama. In Israel, integration is tangible: many Indian employees report positive interactions in everyday spaces, such as supermarkets or along the seafront (the tayelet).

This growing proximity between foreign workers and locals extends beyond mere professional interactions. It gives rise to a true sense of solidarity, especially in a post-trauma context following the October 7th pogroms. By November 2023, while missiles rained down on Tel Aviv daily, DSS took the bold step of deploying around 16,000 foreign workers per year to support the construction industry. Despite the challenges, these construction sites provided migrants with a unique opportunity : to contribute to rebuilding a country while exploring a new culture. Temporarily suspended, the sites became a symbol of joint effort : everything is to be rebuilt together. This harmonious collaboration is grounded in a simple yet powerful philosophy :

“Build better, build together”.

Sources :

The Other Migrant Crisis : Protecting Migrant Workers againt Exploitation in the Middle East and North Africa - 2015

Globes : Israel rivals India in regulation

IOM INT : les travailleurs migrants sont victimes d'exploitation et de mauvais traitements au Moyen Orient et en Afrique du Nord

Revue Persee : données sur les travailleurs migrants au Moyen Orient

Département fédéral des affaires étrangères DFAE : le système inégalitaire de la kafa

https://israelvalley.com/2024/02/02/10-000-travailleurs-indiens-se-rendront-bientot-en-israel/

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