The International Domestic Workers Federation (IDWF) joins the global trade union movement in calling for an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation across the Middle East.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), approximately 6.6 million domestic workers are employed in the Arab States, representing 8.7% of domestic workers globally, and an estimated 83% of them are migrant workers. Most migrate under deeply coercive regimes and work under the kafala system, which legally ties them to an employer. Across MENA and GCC countries, care systems depend heavily on migrant domestic workers, who constitute the backbone of the region’s care economy. Yet in times of war, the very workers who sustain households, care for families, and support national economies are often the first to be abandoned and excluded from protection.
Domestic workers – the majority of whom are migrant women – are among the most vulnerable in times of conflict, and are currently facing the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the escalating war following the US and Israel’s military campaign. Especially in the GCC countries, many migrant domestic workers are isolated inside private homes with limited access to information, communications, or evacuation channels. Many have their passports and documentation confiscated by employers, have limited contact with their families back home, and are often excluded from emergency protection measures or denied access to bomb shelters.
“ Only a few hours ago there were already 15 countries impacted by this war, many civilians have died and, not surprisingly, migrant workers are the first ones in the list. Migrant domestic workers are trapped inside the houses or left out in the streets with no shelters to seek refuge and little to no resources to seek repatriation to their home countries. This systemic exclusion from protection causes systemic vulnerability and unimaginable sacrifices of migrant workers and their families who are the first to pay the price in geopolitical conflicts. The global movement of domestic workers condemn this aggression, and calls for stronger protection to safeguard their lives, their safety and their humanity.”
Adriana Paz, General Secretary of the IDWF
Reports from IDWF affiliates and partners in the region highlight urgent concerns: migrant domestic workers without access to information lines or embassy support, undocumented workers unable to travel, and shelters are unavailable in some countries where workers could seek protection during emergencies. Some workers have been displaced, abandoned by employers, or left without access to basic needs, shelter, or medical care,
No worker should face war alone or without access to information and safety.
IDWF stands in solidarity with migrant domestic workers across the region and with our affiliates and partners. We call on governments, employers, and embassies to:
- Ensure safety and protection: provide migrant workers with access to information, emergency support, shelters, and inclusion in safe evacuation protocols regardless of immigration status.
- Emergency information channels: establish accessible hotlines and communications systems so migrant workers receive timely safety instructions and updates.
- Safe passage and repatriation: destination countries and origin-country embassies must coordinate logistical and financial support for workers to need to return home.
- Protection for undocumented workers: ensure access to evacuation, shelters, medical care, and assistance without risk of detention or deportation.
- Access to identity documents: employers must immediately return passports and personal documents.
- Wage protection remedies: ensure compensation and financial protection for workers dismissed or abandoned during the war. Governments must implement financial remedies, emergency support, and provide basic economic safety nets for the workers and their families.
- Respect for workers’ rights and freedom of association
Domestic Workers’ lives and safety must come first!
IDWF joins the Global Labour Federations and the Coalition on Labour Justice for Migrants in the Gulf in calling for urgent action to protect workers in times of war.
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