In the past five years, 274 Kenyan workers have died in Saudi Arabia, primarily women employed in non-hazardous jobs. Reports reveal systemic abuse, with many workers returning with dire accounts of maltreatment and some returning deceased. High-profile figures in multiple countries reportedly own staffing agencies that perpetuate these abuses. Despite some efforts, Kenya and Uganda have yet to secure comprehensive protective agreements for their migrant workers.
According to a recent report by the New York Times, at least 274 Kenyan workers, predominantly women, have died in Saudi Arabia over the last five years. These individuals, working in non-hazardous jobs, faced severe adversities despite their intentions of seeking better opportunities. Uganda also faces similar issues, with substantial, but undisclosed, worker fatalities in the Gulf kingdom.
Every year, numerous Ugandan and Kenyan women migrate to Saudi Arabia for roles as housekeepers and nannies, only to return with alarming stories of abuse, including unpaid wages and physical violence. Tragically, some of these workers return deceased. Autopsies often indicate trauma such as burns and electric shocks, yet Saudi officials dismiss these occurrences as “natural causes.”
In a chilling incident from 2022, Kenyan housekeeper Eunice Achieng reported threats to her life from her employer, only to later be found dead in a rooftop water tank, with authorities ruling her death as natural. Similarly, Ugandan worker Aisha Meeme’s autopsy revealed severe injuries; however, her death was also classified as natural by authorities.
The prevalence of abuse among migrant workers is underscored by the story of Faridah Nassanga, a Ugandan who experienced horrific treatment leading to her forced return to Uganda upon becoming pregnant. An investigation found that high-profile individuals in Kenya, Uganda, and Saudi Arabia are complicit in the exploitation, often owning the recruitment companies involved.
The New York Times’ investigation involved over 90 interviews with affected workers and their families, shedding light on the connections between powerful figures and the systemic abuse. Despite some nations negotiating agreements to ensure the protection of their labor force, both Kenya and Uganda lag in securing similar protections for their citizens. The Kenyan government is reportedly initiating measures to enhance worker safety and combat illegal recruiting agents, while a spokesperson for Saudi Arabia vowed to thoroughly investigate allegations of worker abuse.
The tragic reality of Kenyan and Ugandan workers in Saudi Arabia highlights the urgent need for reforms in labor migration and protection policies. With many returning home either profoundly traumatized or deceased, the situation demands immediate attention from both the governments of Kenya and Uganda, as well as stringent enforcement of labor rights in Saudi Arabia. Strengthening agreements and oversight mechanisms may help mitigate these abuses and safeguard the lives of migrant workers.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
