Over 270 Kenyan Workers Have Died in Saudi Arabia Over the Last Five Years

A report reveals that 274 Kenyan workers, mainly women, have died in Saudi Arabia over five years. Many face severe abuse, including unpaid wages and violence, as they seek domestic work. Despite autopsy evidence of trauma, deaths are often labeled as natural causes. The investigation highlights complicity from influential figures and a need for stronger protective measures for migrant workers from Kenya and Uganda.

Over the past five years, approximately 274 Kenyan workers, predominantly women, have tragically lost their lives in Saudi Arabia while employed in non-hazardous jobs. This alarming statistic was highlighted in a report by the New York Times, underscoring the dire circumstances surrounding migrant workers, particularly from Kenya and Uganda. Each year, numerous women migrate to Saudi Arabia seeking employment as domestic workers, only to face abuse and life-threatening conditions.

Many Ugandan and Kenyan women have shared distressing experiences, including unpaid wages, violent treatment, and sexual assault, leading to a heartbreaking reality where some return home in coffins. Autopsies of the deceased frequently reveal signs of trauma, such as burns and electric shocks, yet Saudi officials routinely classify these deaths as resulting from “natural causes.”

Among these tragic stories is that of Eunice Achieng, a Kenyan housekeeper, who reported threats to her life from her employer before her body was discovered in a water tank, ruled another “natural death” by Saudi police. Likewise, Aisha Meeme from Uganda died under suspicious circumstances, with autopsy findings indicating severe trauma; however, her death was also marked as a natural cause.

The situation warrants urgent attention, as women like Faridah Nassanga endure grave abuses while working abroad. She was raped by her employer’s husband, and upon discovering her pregnancy, was hastily sent back to Uganda. Moreover, an investigation revealed that prominent individuals in both Kenya and Uganda, as well as members of the Saudi royal family, have vested interests in staffing agencies, largely overlooking the rampant abuses and fatalities.

Although some nations have successfully established agreements with Saudi Arabia aimed at protecting migrant workers, both Kenya and Uganda have not secured similar protections. As a response, a Kenya presidency spokesperson announced that the government plans to enhance worker protection and clamp down on unlicensed recruitment firms. Simultaneously, a representative from the Saudi labor ministry emphasized the commitment to thoroughly investigate any allegations of worker exploitation or abuse.

The plight of Kenyan and Ugandan workers in Saudi Arabia reveals a troubling trend of systematic abuse and neglect within the migrant labor system. Although official reports categorize many deaths as natural, the evidence often suggests otherwise, highlighting the urgent need for stricter regulations and protective measures. As both nations pursue reform and advocacy for their citizens, ensuring the safety and well-being of migrant workers should remain a priority, reflecting a commitment to human rights and justice.

Original Source: newscentral.africa