Kenyan Domestic Workers in Saudi Arabia [ Photo: The Fuller Project]
Chairperson of the Association of Skilled Migrant Agencies of Kenya Francis Wahome has called on the government to put in place laws that will guarantee the safety of Kenyan Migrant workers in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking from Sarova Panafric Hotel in Nairobi he said the government has failed in putting in place drastic measures to address the challenges faced by Kenyans working in Saudi Arabia, however noting that the state has recognized Saudi Arabia as a huge source of remittances to the country.
Wahome was referring to a report from the Central Bank of Kenya showing that Saudi Arabia emerged as the fastest-growing source of remittances to Kenya.
The report shows that 22.65 billion shillings was sent back home by Kenyans living in Saudi Arabia in the first eight months of 2022.
This ranks the Gulf nation as the third-largest source of remittances for Kenya, right after the United Kingdom with 25.4 billion shillings and the United States at 188.8 billion shillings.
The inflows have grown by three-quarters compared with 12.96 billion shillings in the same period last year.
This comes as Saudi Arabia relies on millions of low-paid foreign workers such as housemaids who send money to their families back home annually.
However reports by human rights activists in Kenya indicate that the domestic workers are often forced to work more than 18 hours a day, deprived of food and wages, and physically and sexually abused.
A newsmaker, reporter and anchor at Pearl Radio, Ndalilah Sharon is witty and savvy.
She is also a firm believer of Christ.