From 2020-2022, the American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) conducted research on domestic servitude in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to inform strategies to strengthen the prevention of domestic servitude, prosecution of cases, and protection of victims. ABA ROLI began with preliminary desk research on domestic servitude across MENA, gathering information about foreign workers and labor laws across the region. This initial research informed the development of questionnaire protocols which were used to launch a robust data collection initiative comprised of key informant interviews (KIIs), focus group discussions (FGDs), and consultations with key stakeholders in Morocco, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Jordan. ABA ROLI used these findings to develop regional and country-specific strategies to address domestic servitude, adapting best practices in each country.
ABA ROLI documented specific enforcement and intervention programs in MENA destination countries and determined their impact on domestic servitude. ABA ROLI also identified MENA national and regional strategies and actions to enhance the visibility of domestic servitude and to provide victims with greater opportunities for protection and justice. Regional and international experts conducted desk research and led interviews and discussions with government and civil society representatives focused on domestic workers in project countries. This project was funded by the US Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.