Mary came to work in Lebanon in July. She had held a decent job in her hometown of Manila, Philippines, making $86 a month as a quality controller at a clothing factory. Earlier this year, she met an Egyptian businessman who told her she could earn $400 a month working as a maid in Lebanon. She thought it was a good opportunity to give her five children a better life. Mary left the children with her mother. Upon landing at Rafiq Hariri International Airport, she says she was issued a tourist visa, and was met by her new employer, her ‘Madam’. The Madam told Mary her salary would be far less than expected: $200 per month. From thereon, Mary’s situation only deteriorated. “My mother had a heart attack on July 23, and died. Now there is no one to take care of my babies,” Mary said. She tried to do
