Spate of suicides by foreign maids in Lebanon sheds light on abuse

Since 2008 about 1 foreign worker has died each week. These women are mistreated-- denied time off, work in excess of 10 hours daily and in some instances are denied food and physically abused. Upon arrival their passports are confiscated leaving these women with no way out.

The absence of government regulation and labor laws in the Middle East leaves these women more vulnerable. Recently however the Lebanese government issued a uniform contract for all maids which calls for 1 day off per week. Even with this contract, enforcement is difficult as racism against the poor and darker skinned population is rampant.