About Soral Syndicate

Lebanon currently has over 514 licensed agencies that recruit and employ domestic workers arriving from more than ten countries across Africa and Asia. The Syndicate of Owners of Recruitment Agencies in Lebanon—“SORAL”—was founded in 2005 and today counts roughly 414 registered members.

Within the Joint Programme for the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Domestic Workers (PROWD), funded by the European Union and the Swiss Development Fund, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) supported SORAL in 2012-2013 to draft a Code of Conduct for recruitment agencies in Lebanon. The initiative responds to the absence of an effective legal framework protecting domestic workers’ rights.

The Code of Conduct seeks to uphold seven principles:

1. Transparency
   We apply transparency in every procedure and service, ensuring clear information, honest dealings, and full compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

2. Justice and Non-Discrimination
   We categorically reject any discrimination, exclusion, or preference based on race, color, religion, sex, political opinion, or national or social origin. Human dignity is indivisible, and justice starts with equality.

3. Gender Equality
   We promote gender equality in thought and practice, empowering women and eliminating gender-based bias or barriers.

4. Respect for Pluralism
   We value diversity and respect cultural, social, and religious pluralism as a cornerstone of healthy human interaction and societal enrichment.

5. Integrity in Partnerships
   We refuse to work with any party that exploits, defrauds, or blackmails domestic workers, and we condemn all violations of law or human dignity.

6. Combating Trafficking and Forced Exploitation
   We strictly prohibit the recruitment, transfer, harboring, or reception of any worker through threat, coercion, fraud, or any other forceful means; such acts are severe ethical and legal breaches we will not tolerate.

7. Accountability and Social Responsibility
   We foster internal accountability and transparency, providing clear and safe channels for complaints and reports of unethical or illegal practices. As a socially responsible syndicate, we strive for a sustainable positive impact on the individuals and communities we serve.

Conclusion
This Code is not mere guidance—it is a living expression of the values we embrace and pledge to embody in every action. Each clause is an ethical commitment and professional duty, guiding us to build relationships founded on trust, human respect, and the safeguarding of dignity. By adhering to these principles, SORAL affirms its place as a model of integrity, justice, and humanity in the labour market.