A recent exposé sheds light on the tragic outcomes experienced by women from Kenya and Uganda who seek domestic work in Saudi Arabia, revealing systematic abuses and failures in regulatory oversight, raising urgent questions about worker rights and safety.**
Unveiling the Dark Side of Domestic Work: The Hidden Plight of East African Housekeepers in Saudi Arabia**
Unveiling the Dark Side of Domestic Work: The Hidden Plight of East African Housekeepers in Saudi Arabia**
An investigation reveals the grim realities faced by East African women in Saudi Arabian domestic jobs, highlighting abuses such as violence and exploitation under the guise of employment.**
In most parts of the world, pursuing a career as a housekeeper or nanny might be considered a stable and often safe choice. However, our exploration across Kenya and Uganda, spanning both bustling cities and remote areas, unearthed numerous accounts of an unraveling horror: young women embarking on a journey to find domestic employment in Saudi Arabia only to return home bearing the physical and emotional scars of abuse—or, tragically, not returning at all.
Recent statistics reveal that over the past five years, at least 274 Kenyans, predominantly women, lost their lives in Saudi Arabia. Shockingly, 55 of these deaths occurred in just the last year, doubling the amount from the prior year. Autopsies performed on the deceased have produced frightening findings; for instance, one Ugandan woman’s body bore signs of extensive bruising and potential electrocution, yet her death was officially recorded as "natural causes." We discovered alarming reports of women who met fatal accidents after alleged falls from rooftops or balconies, raising further doubts about the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
This situation is anything but isolated or random. The recruitment of East African women for domestic work is facilitated by established companies, and the process is reportedly sanctioned by both Ugandan and Kenyan governmental bodies, as well as Saudi authorities. For years, activists have pointed to outdated Saudi labor regulations as a significant factor contributing to these incidents. However, our investigation prompted us to dig deeper into the layers of this troubling industry.
Through interviews with over 90 workers and their families, alongside a meticulous examination of employment contracts whenever feasible, we began to piece together the disturbing reality that many women sold a dream of a better life instead find themselves trapped in a devastating nightmare.
