"July 2016"--Table of contents page. "Rothna Begum, women's rights researcher for the Middle East and North Africa of Human Rights Watch, wrote this report"--Page 68. Includes bibliographical references.
Contents:
Letter to the Royal Oman Police Presenting Human Rights Watch Research Findings and Request for Information. Abuses against Domestic Workers -- Punishing Escape and Barriers to Redress -- Legal Framework -- Oman's International Obligations -- Key Recommendations: To the Government of Oman -- To the Governments of Countries of Origin -- Methodology -- Appendix 1: Background -- II. Abuses against Domestic Workers: Forced Labor, Possible Situations of Slavery, and Trafficking -- Physical, Psychological, and Sexual Abuse -- Wage Abuses, Excessive Work, and Lack of Rest -- Passport Confiscation, Restricted Communication, and Confinement -- Denial of Food and Inadequate Living Conditions -- III. Legal Framework: Kafala-(Visa-Sponsorship) System -- Lack of Labor Law Protection -- Standard Contract for Domestic Workers -- Country-of-Origin Protection Mechanisms -- Criminalizing and Prosecuting Forced Labor, Slavery, and Trafficking -- IV. Abuse by Recruitment Agents -- Limited Shelters -- Absconding Charges and Employers' Criminal Complaints -- Police Behavior -- Problematic Labor Dispute Resolution and Courts -- V. Recommendations: To the Council of Ministers, Ministry of Legal Affairs, and Royal Oman Police -- To the Royal Oman Police -- To the Ministry of Manpower, Council of Ministers, and Ministry of Legal Affairs -- To the Council of Ministers and Ministry of Legal Affairs -- To the Ministry of Manpower -- To the Ministry of Justice -- To the Ministry of Social Development -- To the Governments of Countries of Origin, including the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, and Tanzania -- To the US Government -- To the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Members -- VI. Acknowledgments -- Appendix 1: Letter to the Royal Oman Police Presenting Human Rights Watch Research Findings and Request for Information.
Summary:
"The report, "'I Was Sold': Abuse and Exploitation of Migrant Domestic Workers in Oman," documents how Oman's kafala(sponsorship) immigrant labor system and lack of labor law protections leaves migrant domestic workers exposed to abuse and exploitation by employers, whose consent they need to change jobs. Those who flee abuse--including beatings, sexual abuse, unpaid wages, and excessive working hours--have little avenue for redress and can face legal penalties for "absconding." Families rely on migrant domestic workers to care for their children, cook their meals, and clean their homes. Yet many migrant domestic workers, who rely on their salaries to support their own families and children at home, face cruel and exploitative conditions"--Publisher's description.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.