Lured by company recruiters and encouraged by Kenya’s government, the women have reason for optimism. Spend two years in Saudi Arabia as a housekeeper or nanny, the pitch goes, and you can earn enough to build a house, educate your children and save for the future.
While the departure terminal hums with anticipation, the arrivals area is where hope meets grim reality. Hollow-cheeked women return, often ground down by unpaid wages, beatings, starvation and sexual assault. Some are broke. Others are in coffins.
Why does Saudi Arabia mistreat and abuse women? Because it’s Saudi Arabia.
Don’t live in Saudi Arabia. Don’t work in Saudi Arabia. Don’t associate with Saudi Arabians. If you’re in Saudi Arabia, do everything in your power to get the fuck out of Saudi Arabia.
Nothing new. Working for the UAE, Saudis, Kuwait, etc. has always been the same: they take your passport, and/or withhold payment, and/or you need to get your employer give you permission to leave the country.
Unless you’re wealthy enough to hire people to work for you, never ever go to work there.
Horrible places run by horrible people.
