Harrowing Journeys: The Hidden Crises of East African Domestic Workers in Saudi Arabia

An investigation into the plight of East African female domestic workers sent to Saudi Arabia uncovers shocking stories of abuse and death, as systemic failings and exploitation plague the recruitment process.

East African women seeking employment as domestic workers in Saudi Arabia are facing alarming levels of abuse, violence, and death. Reports detail a troubling trend: young women arrive in the Gulf nation full of hope, only to return home scarred, traumatized, or in some cases, in coffins. Over the past five years, at least 274 Kenyan women have reportedly died while working in Saudi Arabia, with 55 deaths occurring within the last year alone, a figure that has alarmingly doubled from the previous year.

The conditions surrounding these deaths raise significant concerns. While most autopsies conclude with vague causes—labeling deaths as "natural" despite indications of trauma, including bruising and possible electrocution—families are left without answers. Many women have reportedly fallen from heights, leading to fatal injuries that are often brushed aside as accidental.

What compounds the horror is that this industry is not run by unregulated agents. Women are often recruited by well-known companies, trained, and sent abroad through official channels established by the governments of Uganda, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia.

Despite the existence of regulations, systemic issues within these labor laws in Saudi Arabia likely play a role in the ongoing abuses. As labor advocates have pointed out, while there is an awareness of predatory practices, the extent of these human rights violations has often gone unnoticed.

During a year-long investigation, over 90 interviews with affected workers and their families revealed similar narratives of broken dreams and severe exploitation. The initial promise of financial stability for families transforms into a nightmare characterized by beatings, starvation, and sexual violence. As these women's stories come to light, it becomes essential to address the concerns of labor trafficking and human rights violations in the ongoing international recruitment of domestic workers.