Escaping the Kafala System
Adri Salido
Photographer
based in Lisbon, Portugal
The Kafala System is a system of modern slavery is still present in several countries of the Middle East such as Lebanon or Jordan. These women, who are sent from their countries of origin, Sierra Leone and Benín in the case of those who appear in the images, are deprived of all human rights upon arrival in Beirut, having their passports and phones taken away so that they cannot escape or contact anyone. They are transferred by intermediary agents to their future sponsors, who in many cases refuse to ever pay their salary and on many occasions abuse them physically and sexually. This system is well established in Lebanon, with the authorities turning a blind eye to what is happening, and so far, none of the numerous attempts at ending the practice succeeded.
Due to the psychological pressure to which they are subjected, many of the workers flee their owners, seeking help from local NGOs that try to send them back to their countries to reunite with their families. Others, however, are less lucky and die at the hands of their owners or commit suicide.
Due to the psychological pressure to which they are subjected, many of the workers flee their owners, seeking help from local NGOs that try to send them back to their countries to reunite with their families. Others, however, are less lucky and die at the hands of their owners or commit suicide.
Public Project
Escaping the Kafala System
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