Harsh Realities Faced by East African Domestic Workers in Saudi Arabia

Despite promises of safe employment, many East African women who migrate for domestic jobs in Saudi Arabia return home bearing the scars of abuse, raising questions about the oversight of this growing industry.

In many countries, domestic work is considered a safe profession. However, as we journeyed through Kenya and Uganda—from bustling urban areas to remote rural communities—we uncovered a grim trend: women embarking on domestic jobs in Saudi Arabia often return injured, traumatized, or deceased. In the last five years, at least 274 Kenyan women, primarily housekeepers, have died in the Gulf state. In 2024 alone, 55 fatalities were reported, doubling the previous year’s toll.

Disturbing autopsy findings have arisen; one Ugandan woman showed signs of bruising and electrocution but was classified as a "natural" death, while others fell from considerable heights under suspicious circumstances. The situation is perplexing, especially considering the domestic workers are recruited and trained through recognized companies, operating under regulations from Kenyan, Ugandan, and Saudi authorities.

Worker advocates previously attributed the hardships to antiquated labor laws in Saudi Arabia, but our investigation seeks to unravel deeper issues. For nearly a year, we explored who profits from this troubling trade and what systemic factors contribute to the brutality faced by these workers.

Through interviews with over 90 women and their families and thorough examinations of employment contracts, we learned that many are sold on a dream that tragically morphs into a nightmare. The dreams that inspire these women to leave their homes for wealth and stability are marred by the harrowing realities of physical and emotional abuse, leading us to question both the ethics and regulation of this cross-border industry.