Victims of Promise: The Dark Reality of East African Domestic Workers in Saudi Arabia

This article delves into the alarming trend of labor abuse faced by women from Kenya and Uganda seeking employment in Saudi Arabia for domestic work, highlighting systemic issues and the need for immediate reforms.

In most parts of the world, working as a housekeeper or nanny provides a safe livelihood. However, during our extensive travels across Kenya and Uganda—venturing from crowded urban neighborhoods to remote rural villages—we encountered countless distressing accounts. Women from these regions leave for seemingly promising domestic jobs in Saudi Arabia, only to return home battered, traumatized, or in the worst cases, deceased.

Recent statistics reveal that at least 274 Kenyans, primarily women, lost their lives in Saudi Arabia over the past five years, with the death rate nearly doubling last year compared to the previous one. In one shocking case, the autopsy of a Ugandan woman revealed severe bruising and signs of possible electrocution, yet her death was classified as "natural." Numerous accounts surfaced of women reportedly falling from rooftops or balconies, raising significant questions about workplace safety.

The essential question arises: How is this possible in an industry that, on paper, is structured and regulated by established recruitment agencies and sanctioned by the Kenyan, Ugandan, and Saudi governments? Worker advocates have long criticized archaic labor laws in Saudi Arabia, but our investigation aimed to uncover deeper issues embedded within the recruitment and employment practices.

The harsh reality is that these workers are lured by a promising dream, which far too often transforms into a harrowing nightmare. Over the course of our inquiry, we conducted interviews with over 90 workers and their families, thoroughly analyzing employment contracts whenever possible to unearth the truths hidden within the fine print. The findings underscore a systemic exploitation that cannot be ignored any longer.