Female Migrant Domestic Workers, a Forgotten Segment of Forced Labor: Evidence from Jordan

Abstract

This study aims at investigating the life and work conditions of Female migrant domestic workers in the Gulf States and United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in general and Jordan in particular.Interviews were conducted with officials in the Sri Lankan, Indonesian and Philippines embassies accompanied by extensive relevant literature review including UN organization reports.Results revealed that female migrant domestic workers live and work in environment that is similar to the life of slaves. The study recommends that the current work contract system be abolished and be replaced with better work system that gives female Migrant domestic workers more freedom and independence to enter labor markets with complete rights protection

Keywords: Migrant Domestic Workers, forced labor, human right slavery, exploitation