Documentary On Migrant Domestic Workers And Arab Youth
Documentary on Migrant Domestic Workers and Arab Youth
Call for Proposals from the ILO Regional Office for Arab States
This assignment is a collaboration between two ILO migration projects: Regional Fair
Migration Project in the Middle East (FAIRWAY) and the Work in Freedom project (WIF).
ILO Regional Fair Migration Project in the Middle East
The ILO Regional Fair Migration Project in the Middle East (FAIRWAY) works to promote fair migration
(including fair recruitment) and eliminate forced labour and trafficking for labour exploitation in the
construction and domestic work sectors. Operating in five countries (Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait,
Lebanon and the UAE), the project has identified five key areas of intervention: recruitment, working
conditions, access to justice, voice and representation, and reducing discrimination. Alongside
research to inform policy advocacy, capacity building with government and social partners, Outcome
3 of the project aims to sensitize the public on the abuse of migrant workers and fair migration
solutions. Strategies to achieve the Outcome include training and engagement with the media, and
the development of campaigns targeting employers of domestic workers and key stakeholders in the
construction sector. The FAIRWAY project is implemented with the support of the Swiss Agency for
Development and Cooperation (SDC).
ILO Work in Freedom Project
The ILO Work in Freedom project is supported by the UK Department for International Development
(Dfid). Work in Freedom adopts an integrated and targeted approach to reduce vulnerability to
trafficking of women and girls especially from South Asian countries of origin (Bangladesh, India and
Nepal) and in selected destination countries (India, Jordan and Lebanon). The programme focuses on
the domestic work and garment sectors – among the most prevalent areas of trafficking for women
and girls.
Background and rationale
It is common for middle class families in the Middle East to employ a migrant domestic worker (MDW)
to cook and clean and care for children and the elderly. The majority of these workers are women
from Africa and South Asia. MDWs are vulnerable to labour exploitation (including forced labour and
human trafficking) across the Middle East region due to the
kafalasponsorship system, the isolated
nature of working in a home, a lack of legal protection in the labour law, and the fraudulent and
abusive recruitment system. ILO research
1 has revealed that many restrictions on domestic workers
enacted by their employers – such as withholding of wages, preventing the domestic worker from
communicating with friends and family, and not allowing the domestic worker to leave the house on a
day off – were specifically linked to negative perceptions about migrant women and the occupation of
domestic work. Addressing these negative perceptions is recognized as an important component of a
comprehensive approach to securing decent work for domestic workers.
The My Fair Home campaign – an initiative of the ILO and International Domestic Workers Federation
– aims to educate employers of domestic workers on their rights and responsibilities and to elicit
attitudinal and behavioural change to ensure decent work. The central element of the campaign is
encouraging employers to take a pledge to respect domestic workers’ rights in their homes. The
campaign implements activities in the areas of communication and public awareness, development of
tools, schools programmes, and employer information sessions. My Fair Home is implemented in the
Middle East by the FAIRWAY project.
1
ILO (2016) A study of the Employers of Migrant Domestic Workers in Lebanon: Intertwined; and ILO (2015)
Employers’ perspectives towards domestic workers in Jordan and Kuwait
.
Arab youth have been identified as a smart entry point for attitude and behaviour change. The young
Arab generation have grown up with migrant domestic workers, but don’t necessarily share (or are
beginning to question) the discriminatory values of their conservative parents and grandparents
(around race, gender, class). These young Arabs can be change-makers in their communities, helping
to transform attitudes towards MDWs, with the purpose of creating a better employment relationship
and securing labour rights for MDWs.
Objective
In line with the ILO’s strategy to take an innovative approach to communications and media in order
to reach a large scope of the Arab general public, and the suggested latent opportunity to engage
Arab youth as ‘change makers’ in attitudes towards migrant workers, the ILO will produce a
documentary about a young Arab person who visits the home country of the domestic worker who
raised him/her.
The ILO is seeking an experienced film/documentary production studio or producer to complete the
entire film production process, including writing, filming, editing, narration and subtitling. The
producer will be responsible for assembling the full production team. A Documentary Advisory Board
will be established by the ILO to advise on the story direction and distribution.
Timeline
The ready-to-air final cut of the documentary must be received by 31 January 2018. The delivery date
is not negotiable.
Language
Arabic, with English subtitles.
Documentary length
The documentary should be 25 minutes long.
Rights and distribution
ILO will have full rights on the documentary. The Producer will support distribution of the film at
several Arabic and international news stations.
Terms of Reference
To undertake the assignment, Bidders must:
·
be an experienced documentary film producer (either an individual or company) with a
background in human rights issues, with proven production experience in the Arab States;
·
have a demonstrated understanding on issues regarding labour migration, forced labour and
human trafficking and domestic workers; and sensitivity to gender and the local context;
·
be able to assemble and manage a production team in the Arab States region and South Asia
region (advantage if the applicant has demonstrated experience outside the Arab States
region);
·
be able to ensure the highest quality production and technical standards;
·
have professional English and Arabic language skills; and
·
be able to meet all deliverables within the agreed timeframe and budget.
How to apply
Bidders must submit the following:
1. A Technical Proposal outlining:
·
how the Bidder meets each of the criteria outlined in the above Terms of Reference
·
proposed timeline for production
·
CVs of key personnel who will contribute to the project
·
two samples of previous relevant work (links or files)
·
any other documents and information to demonstrate the Bidder’s technical and professional
capacities to fulfil the assignment
2. A Financial Offer
,including a detailed budget breakdown of all estimated costs (covering
shooting, transport and travel, editing, music, subtitling etc.) in US Dollars
3. Two References (with contact information) of previous clients/projects
Bidders are to be submit the (1) Technical Proposal and (2) Financial Offer and (3) Two References to
Mr Maarouf Saad El Masri, at
#0563c2; font-family: CalibriLight; font-size: medium;">#0563c2; font-family: CalibriLight; font-size: medium;">#0563c2; font-family: CalibriLight; font-size: medium;">[email protected] by 26 June 2017 at 17:00 Beirut time. Late bids will
be rejected. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their Bid via email. All submissions must be
made in English.
Clarification questions:
Questions for clarification may be submitted to the ILO at
#0563c2; font-family: CalibriLight; font-size: medium;">#0563c2; font-family: CalibriLight; font-size: medium;">#0563c2; font-family: CalibriLight; font-size: medium;">[email protected] by 15 June 2017. Any
responses will be sent to all prospective Bidders.
Evaluation process and criteria
Proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by an Evaluation Panel. A two stage procedure will be
utilized in evaluating the Proposals, with evaluation of the Technical Proposal being completed prior
to any Financial Offer being opened or compared. Each Technical Proposal is evaluated on the basis of
its responsiveness to the Terms of Reference.
For further information please contact
Mr Maarouf Saad El Masri
Administration/Finance Officer, FAIRWAY project
International Labour Organization, Regional Office for Arab States