Unveiling the Harsh Reality of Domestic Work in Saudi Arabia

A recent investigation highlights the horrific experiences of East African women recruited for domestic jobs in Saudi Arabia, where they endure violence, exploitation, and even death. Despite being backed by legitimate processes, many workers are left vulnerable to maltreatment, prompting urgent scrutiny of labor practices.

As we traversed the streets and remote communities of Kenya and Uganda, we uncovered shocking accounts of young women who ventured to Saudi Arabia for domestic jobs, only to come back traumatized or not at all. The system designed to provide these workers with better opportunities has instead morphed into a nightmare for many.

Recent reports illustrate that over 274 women from Kenya have died in Saudi Arabia in the last five years, with 55 fatalities reported just last year alone—indicating a disturbing trend. Autopsies have raised eyebrows, revealing injuries inconsistent with “natural” causes; for instance, one Ugandan woman showed signs of electrocution, while others reportedly fell from heights under dubious circumstances.

This situation challenges the assumption that the industry operates above board. Thousands of East African women are recruited by established companies and funneled through a system sanctioned by Kenyan, Ugandan, and Saudi authorities.

Despite advocates attributing the issue primarily to oppressive Saudi labor laws, a deeper examination was warranted. We dedicated nearly a year to interview more than 90 past workers and their families and to scrutinize employment contracts, seeking answers to the harrowing experiences they endured.

It became evident that these women are sold a vision of prosperity that often transforms into harsh exploitation. The distressing narratives of abuse, including beatings, starvation, and sexual assault, reflect a broader crisis in the cross-border trade of domestic labor that warrants urgent attention and reform.