Could this be the end of Lebanon's 'kafala slavery'?

Lebanon has approved a new work contract that gives foreign domestic workers the rights to keep their passport and resign, but activists say much more remains to be done to end abuses. Photo: AFP

Lebanon has approved a new work contract allowing foreign domestic workers to resign and keep hold of their own passport, but activists say the exploitative "kafala" system remains in place.

The economic crisis-hit Mediterranean country is home to around 250,000 migrants, mostly women from Africa and Asia, who toil away in people's homes as housekeepers, carers or nannies.