The Hidden Horrors of Domestic Work: East African Women in Saudi Arabia

An investigation reveals the harsh realities East African women endure as domestic workers in Saudi Arabia, with alarming death tolls and harrowing experiences of abuse, raising questions about labor practices and regulatory failures.

In many parts of the world, domestic work is considered a stable means of employment. However, a disturbing investigation into the labor conditions faced by East African women recruited as housekeepers and nannies for Saudi Arabia uncovers a grim reality. Reports from Kenya and Uganda detail distressing experiences of women who travel abroad with hopes for a better life, only to face violence, sexual assault, and even death. Over the last five years, at least 274 Kenyan women have perished in Saudi Arabia, with a shocking rise in fatalities noted last year.

While autopsies suggest unnatural causes of death—including electrocution and severe injuries—official narratives often deem these incidents as "natural." A significant number of women have died after falling from buildings, leading to questions about workplace safety and oversight. This is particularly troubling given that the recruitment and employment processes are managed by established companies with government backing across Kenya, Uganda, and Saudi Arabia.

Labor advocates have persistently pointed to outdated Saudi labor laws as the root of the problem, but deeper issues may be at hand. Disturbingly, many women are sold a hopeful future, which quickly devolves into a terrifying ordeal. With insufficient protections and rampant exploitation, our investigation encompassed interviews with over 90 women and their families, coupled with meticulous evaluations of their contracts. As the tragic stories emerge, the pressing need for systemic reform in the treatment of domestic workers in Saudi Arabia becomes increasingly apparent.