Unveiling the Hidden Horror: The Human Cost of Domestic Work Migration to Saudi Arabia

An investigation into the plight of female domestic workers migrating from East Africa to Saudi Arabia uncovers widespread labor abuses, with many enduring severe maltreatment, injuries, and even death. This report delves into the realities of a regulated industry rife with exploitation, as personal accounts and employment records paint a grim picture of their experiences.

Across the regions of Kenya and Uganda, countless young women have embarked on what they hoped would be life-changing opportunities, seeking domestic work in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, these aspirations often dissolve into nightmares marred by harassment, violence, and tragic outcomes. Recent accounts indicate that around 274 Kenyan women lost their lives in Saudi Arabia over the past five years, with a staggering 55 fatalities reported just last year—dubbed twice the previous year's figure.

A troubling pattern emerges in the tragic deaths of these women. Autopsies reveal troubling signs; for example, a Ugandan woman's body exhibited signs of beating and electrocution, yet her death was arbitrarily classified as “natural.” Other reports include women falling from extreme heights, such as roofs and balconies, raising alarming questions about the circumstances leading to their untimely deaths.

This is not a matter of rogue operators within a shadowy sector. The recruitment and training of these women occur through reputable companies operating under the scrutiny of the Ugandan, Kenyan, and Saudi governments. Nevertheless, systemic issues—particularly outdated labor laws in Saudi Arabia—have allowed these abhorrent practices to persist.

Over the course of nearly a year, we explored the depths of these issues, occasionally uncovering unsettling truths about the realities faced by these workers. Through interviews with over 90 women and their families, as well as thorough examinations of their employment contracts, a grim narrative of exploitation unfolds. Workers are enticed with promises of economic opportunity, only to find themselves ensnared in environments characterized by danger and abuse.

The journeys of these women highlight an urgent need for reform in labor laws governing domestic work migration. Their resilience amidst such adversity highlights a sobering reality that demands our attention and action.