Jordania - Migrant domestic workers abused (2011)

Official figures show that more than 322,000 migrants are working in Jordan, but unofficial estimates put unregistered migrant workers at 100,000-150,000. Many workers, especially domestic workers, are employed without the proper permits, have their passports taken and are forced to work extremely long hours. In October an Indonesian migrant domestic worker fell to her death while trying to escape from her employer.

In August 2008, amendments to the Labour Law stated that migrant domestic workers are to be treated on equal footing with Jordanian workers in terms of medical care, timely payment of wages and subscription to the Social Security Corporation. Under the rules, all transfers of domestic helpers from a sponsor to another employer must be ratified at a labour directorate in order to ensure a more transparent process. Previously such transfers would occur at recruitment offices. Despite the legal changes, for most foreign workers the situation has not improved, and several cases of abuse came to light throughout 2010.

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