Goal:
To seek commitments from employers of domestic workers in Jordan to agree to respecting their rights in order to promote a culture that recognizes exploitation is not acceptable to help end domestic servitude.
Summary:
Though Jordan is acknowledged for being the first country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to improve legal protections for domestic workers, many migrant domestic workers still face exploitation including being unable to take time off, having their wages withheld and their passports confiscated.
Because some face domestic servitude, we joined the Adaleh Center for Human Rights Studies in applauding the actions of people like Mahasen El Imam who for 20 years has been dedicated to ensuring an employment relationship with domestic workers based on dignity and respect. Together with the Center, we asked advocates to sign this pledge:
“I pledge to commit to respecting my current and future domestic worker’s rights, or if I don’t employ a domestic worker, to promote a culture where we: pay wages on time, provide a day off every week, and keep the passport with her.”
Outcome:
A total of 3,810 advocates signed the pledge to ensure workers: have a day off each week to rest and rejuvenate both physically and psychologically; are paid on time since workers depend on their pay to secure their family’s livelihood back home; and are allowed to hold their own passport rather than having them controlled by their employer.
