Shadowed Reality: Kenyan Domestic Workers in Saudi Arabia

ehind the promises of overseas employment lies a shadowed reality for many Kenyan women seeking work in Saudi Arabia. This podcast delves into the disturbing system highlighted by Amnesty International's report "Locked in Left Out," which exposes the widespread abuse and exploitation faced by Kenyan domestic workers.

Driven by the hope for a better life, thousands travel to Saudi Arabia every year. However, many become essentially invisible in private homes, experiencing forced labor, physical and verbal abuse, and feeling like slaves under the controversial Kafala system which ties their legal status to their employers, meaning they cannot leave without permission, even when facing abuse. One domestic worker described her employer's response to complaints as "I bought you," illustrating the feeling of being treated like a slave.

Despite these difficult stories, more women still see domestic work in Saudi Arabia as an option, particularly with jobs not easily available in Kenya. In fact, the remittance from Saudi Arabia and the number of Kenyans sending remittances have doubled in the last two years. Currently, there are over 200,000 Kenyan nationals in Saudi Arabia, with 150,000 working as domestic workers.

We explore the significant challenges they face, including the difficulty of seeking help from the Kenyan embassy in Riyadh due to its single location in the vast country and overcrowding/under-resourcing at embassy shelters. We also discuss the urgent calls for reform, including the abolition of the Kafala system, regulation of recruitment agencies, support for survivors, and the publication of labor agreements between Kenya and Saudi Arabia. Amnesty International stresses the need for the Kenyan government to prevent further exploitation and uphold the rights and dignity of migrant workers, noting that Kenya has not yet ratified the international convention on the protection of the rights of migrant workers and their families. Hear about the human cost of exploitation and the efforts to bring about change for these vulnerable workers.