Hundreds of Kenyan workers have been rescued from hostile United Arab Emirates and returned home.
Hundreds of Kenyan workers have been rescued from hostile United Arab Emirates and returned home.
Most of the more than 460 workers brought home by the government were house-helps. They complained of mistreatment by their employers.
Kenya’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mohammed Saleh said that in the past few months the government has rescued girls who had been lured by agents with promises of huge salaries, only to find themselves in a hostile environment.
Mr Saleh said that besides those who have been repatriated, another 25 workers were in rescue centres waiting to be brought home.
He said the government was cracking down on bogus recruitment agencies to save Kenyans from a life of misery in foreign lands.
“The government is vetting all employment bureaus to ensure they take full responsibility for any worker they send to the UAE,” Mr Saleh said.
He said most Kenyans seeking jobs in Saudi Arabia did not follow proper procedures.
He said recruitment agents were on the increase in Kisauni and Majengo in Mombasa, Eastleigh in Nairobi and in major towns of Central Province.
“We want the Foreign Affairs and Labour ministries to work together to ensure all fake recruiting bureaus are closed down,” Mr Saleh said.
Ms Josephine Adhiambo, 32, who returned home three days ago, said she could no longer stand the torture from her employer and sought a way of escaping.
Ms Adhiambo was reluctant to talk about her ordeal. “I can only ask the government to follow up the matter so that I get my two months salary, the time I worked in Saudi Arabia.”
As others celebrate the safe return of their relatives, Ms Manisha Juma of Likoni in Mombasa is distressed after her daughter stopped communicating. Ms Juma said the last time her daughter called, four days ago, she said she feared for her life.
“Since Saturday night, I have not communicated with my daughter and I am very worried. I am praying that Gods keeps her alive,” she said.
Muslim for Human Rights (Muhuri) executive director Khalid Hussein said laws protecting foreign workers in Saudi Arabia were inadequate.
“The Kenyan Government should ensure the rights of its citizens are protected,” Mr Hussein said.
About 40,000 Kenyans have taken up skilled and semi-skilled jobs in the UAE, with a majority in Dubai.
According to the International Organisation of Migration, the Saudi Arabian labour force comprises about 7.12 million workers who enjoy minimum rights.
Unions are strictly prohibited, strikes are forbidden and there is no collective bargaining.
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