111th International Labour Conference - Committee on Application of Standards Lebanon - EU Statement

European Union

Statement

International Labour Conference

111^th session 

Geneva, 5-16 June 2023

________

Committee on Application of Standards

Lebanon

Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29)

________

Geneva, 7 June 2023

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Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries Albania*, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, the Republic of North Macedonia*, Moldova, Montenegro*,  Serbia, the EFTA countries Iceland and Norway, members of the European Economic Area align themselves with this statement.

1. The EU and its Member States actively promote the universal ratification and implementation of the fundamental international labour standards. We support the ILO in its indispensable role to develop, promote and supervise the effective implementation of ratified international labour standards and of fundamental Conventions in particular, including Convention 29 on forced labour. We are committed to the promotion, protection, respect and fulfilment of human rights, including labour rights.
2. The EU-Lebanon relationship is governed by the Association Agreement, which has enabled us to strengthen our bilateral cooperation since its coming into force in 2006. In addition, the EU-Lebanon Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment forms a framework for further developing the partnership. Through the European Neighbourhood Policy, the EU remains committed to supporting Lebanon and its people.
3. We are concerned over the fact that the government of Lebanon has not reported to the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations since 2018, especially given the gravity of the case. We call on the government to supply full information during the current session of the Committee on the Application of Standards of the International Labour Conference, and to reply in full to the Committee of Experts’ comments since 2018.

We note the impact of the dire economic situation and the COVID-19 pandemic on the vulnerability of migrant domestic workers of whom a vast majority are women. We share the deep concern of the Committee of Experts that migrant

1. domestic workers remain subjected to abusive practices and working conditions that amount to forced labour and are not granted adequate legal protection. Reports on confiscations of workers’ passports, long working hours, insufficient time off, forcible confinement to the workplace, poor living conditions, delayed or non-payments of wages and verbal, physical and sexual abuse are deeply worrisome, especially in combination with the lack of adequate legal protection and remedies.
2. We urge the government of Lebanon to take the necessary measures, without delay, and in tripartite consultation, to provide domestic workers with adequate legal protection. This includes the revision of both the Standard Unified Contract which would guarantee a minimum level of protection, and the Bill regulating the working conditions of domestic workers as well as the legislative review of the kafala (sponsorship) system in view of introducing an adequate level of protection, in line with ratified ILO Conventions.
3. We emphasize the utmost importance of improving the access to justice and legal protection of migrant domestic workers against retaliation or deportation in case of rights violations as well as of imposing appropriate and dissuasive criminal penalties on perpetrators. We call upon the government of Lebanon to take the necessary measures to ensure that adequate protection, assistance and remedies are provided to victims of abusive practices and forced labour. Migrant domestic workers must also be informed of the available remedies in the event of a violation of their rights.
4. We recall the importance of ILO support, including technical assistance, in facilitating compliance with all ratified ILO Conventions and the promotion of tripartism. We encourage the Government to step up its cooperation with the ILO in order to fulfil its obligations under Convention 29 on forced labour.
5. The EU and its Member States reiterate its deep concern with the case as set out by Committee of Experts. We will continue to follow and analyse the situation and remain committed to our close cooperation and partnership with Lebanon.

Thank you, Chair.

[*Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.]