Trafficking in Persons Report
Released by the Office to Monitor
and Combat Trafficking in Persons
June 11, 2003
LEBANON (TIER 2)
Lebanon is a destination country for persons, primarily women from
Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines, trafficked to work as
domestics. Many trafficking victims voluntarily and legally travel
to Lebanon in search of work, but are put into situations of coerced
labor. In such situations, they often endure extreme working conditions
or physical abuse. Employers sometimes physically or sexually abuse
domestics. To a lesser extent, women who travel from Russia, Romania,
Ukraine, Moldova, and Bulgaria to Lebanon are forced into commercial
sexual exploitation.
The Government of Lebanon does not fully comply with the minimum
standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making
significant efforts to do so. The government's strengths in combating
trafficking are in the area of prevention. The areas of protection
and prosecution, including law enforcement coordination with source
countries, need to be expanded.
Prevention
The Ministry of Labor meets regularly with source country embassies
to ensure that workers are aware of new employment agency regulations
and the "complaint line" for reporting violations. Lebanon
and Sri Lanka established a training program for Sri Lankan domestics
bound for Lebanon. Two offices are open (and three more are planned).
The Labor Ministry is working with Ethiopia to develop a similar
program, which once established might be a worthy prevention measure.
The Prime Minister engaged two human rights lawyers to draft a pamphlet
defining trafficking, outlining the complaint process, providing
contact information for government agencies, law enforcement, and
non-governmental organizations. Officials will distribute it to
migrant workers upon their arrival at the airport.
Prosecution
Lebanon does not have a law criminalizing trafficking in persons.
However, the Penal Code criminalizes the deprivation of personal
freedom of others by abduction or other means. The Ministry of Labor
refers cases of abuse reported to its complaint line to law enforcement
for investigation and prosecution. It also enacted regulations prohibiting
employment agencies from withholding foreign workers' passports
for any reason and specifically defining sponsors' responsibilities
with regard to the treatment of domestics. In 2002, 18 employment
agencies were closed for non-compliance with these new regulations.
The Surete Generale actively investigates adult clubs employing
"artistes" from Eastern Europe and issues warnings to
those who do not comply with regulations. Last year it issued 20
warnings and closed one club. There are no indications that government
officials condone or facilitate trafficking.
Protection
The government does not provide protection to victims, but does
cooperate with non-governmental organizations that provide victim
services. The Surete General allows NGOs access to the Retention
Center for Foreign Persons to provide legal assistance, counseling
and medical care to foreign workers. Victims may file civil suits
or seek legal action. The government signed agreements with intergovernmental
organizations to assist in repatriating illegal workers. Employers
must show proof of health insurance for their employees every year
to renew work permits. In addition, prospective employers of domestics
must pay a deposit to the government that can be used for repatriation.
Department of State Website: http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2003/21276.htm
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