Between Two Homes: Lebanon’s migrant workers, including Filipinos, hit by war’s impact on life and security

Migrant workers in Lebanon are among the hardest hit since the war in the Middle East began, with experts saying they are trapped in an economic crisis that is slowly eroding their security and sense of belonging.

NORTHERN ISRAEL, ISRAEL, - APRIL 15: Israeli armored personnel carriers move near destroyed houses in Southern Lebanon, as seen from a position on the Israeli side of the border on April 15, 2026 in Northern Israel, Israel. Israel and Lebanon's ambassadors have held historic talks in Washington, the first direct diplomatic meeting between the two sides in decades. During the two-week ceasefire period between the US and Iran, Israel and the Iran-backed militant group, Hezbollah, have continued fighting. On April 8 Israel intensified strikes on what it says were Hezbollah targets, killing more than 350 people, according to health officials in Lebanon. (Photo by Amir Levy/Getty Images) Credit: Amir Levy/Getty Images

Key Points

• Nancy, a Filipina domestic worker in Dahieh, Beirut, has lived and worked in Lebanon for 23 years, where she has witnessed a series of crises and conflicts from 2006 to more recent tensions from 2023 to 2026.
• The Philippine Embassy in Lebanon is actively involved in the repatriation of Filipino workers, especially those who wish to return home due to job loss and safety risks.
• According to Dr. Paul Tabar, migrant workers have long been part of Lebanon’s history since 1975 and are divided into two groups, but most are under the kafala labour system controlled by employers, which he says is unjust because workers have no fixed working hours, limited protection, and are often dependent on the decisions of their employers.

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Between Two Homes: Lebanon’s migrant workers, including Filipinos, hit by war’s impact on life and security

SBS Filipino

13:35Filipino

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