A New York Times report reveals that over 270 Kenyan workers have died in Saudi Arabia in the past five years, primarily women in domestic roles. Autopsies frequently indicate trauma, yet deaths are ruled as natural. Systemic abuse persists, with reports of exploitation and collusion among influential figures in Kenya, Uganda, and Saudi Arabia. Improvements to worker protections are promised but remain largely unfulfilled.
Over the past five years, at least 274 Kenyan workers, predominantly women, have died in Saudi Arabia while employed in non-hazardous roles, as reported by the New York Times. Similarly, Uganda has experienced a substantial number of worker deaths in the Gulf nation, yet the Ugandan government does not provide official statistics on this matter. Thousands of Kenyan and Ugandan women migrate annually to Saudi Arabia to work as domestic helpers, facing horrific experiences including unpaid wages, detainment, abuse, and even sexual assault, while some tragically return home deceased.
Autopsies of these deceased workers often reveal signs of trauma, such as burns and electric shocks, but Saudi authorities have consistently classified these deaths as resulting from “natural causes.” A notable case involved Kenyan housekeeper Eunice Achieng, who reported threats against her life prior to being discovered lifeless in a water tank; the local police attributed her death to natural circumstances. Similarly, Ugandan worker Aisha Meeme’s autopsy indicated extensive bruising and severe electrocution injuries, but her death was also categorized as natural.
The situation has been exacerbated by systemic abuses, as highlighted by the case of Faridah Nassanga, who faced rape and maltreatment by her employer’s family. After becoming pregnant, she was forcibly returned to Uganda. An investigation by the New York Times, involving over 90 interviews, uncovered that powerful individuals in Kenya, Uganda, and Saudi Arabia are complicit in the ongoing exploitation and tragedies faced by migrant workers, with connections to staffing agencies owned by influential figures, including members of the Saudi royal family.
Despite some countries creating agreements to safeguard their workers and uphold wage standards, neither Kenya nor Uganda has successfully implemented such protections. A spokesperson representing the Kenyan presidency noted that measures are being introduced to enhance worker protections and target illicit recruitment firms. Conversely, a representative from the Saudi labor ministry stated, “Any form of exploitation or abuse of domestic workers is entirely unacceptable, and allegations of such behavior are thoroughly investigated.”
The alarming trend of Kenyan and Ugandan worker deaths in Saudi Arabia underscores a systemic issue of exploitation and abuse within the migrant labor framework. Despite calls for accountability and protective measures from various nations, the absence of adequate agreements and oversight perpetuates this crisis. It is imperative that both the Saudi government and the home countries of these workers take decisive action to address these abuses and prevent further tragedies.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
