Saudi leads in deaths of Kenyan migrants to Gulf says Labour CS
According to Labour Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore, Saudi Arabia documented the highest number of deaths of Kenyan migrant workers in the Gulf region over the past three years.
Bore told the House of Representatives on Wednesday that 283 Kenyans died in the Gulf region, the majority of whom were domestic workers who fled the country for greener pastures.
According to government statistics, the number of fatalities has been rising.
According to ministry records, a total of 175 Saudi fatalities have been recorded since 2020.
In 2020, a total of 48 deaths were registered, and in 2021, that number increased to 60.
Last year, the country recorded the greatest number of migrant deaths with 77.
An estimated 200,000 Kenyans reside in Saudi Arabia, with 151,687 employed as domestic laborers.
Kenyan employees in the Gulf are employed primarily in education, banking, hotel and catering, transportation, and agriculture, while the majority are employed as domestic workers.
In Qatar, 53 Kenyan migrant laborers perished during the same time period, 26 of them in 2022 alone.
The United Arab Emirates recorded 45 fatalities over the course of the three-year period, including 10 deaths in 2020 and 17 deaths in 2021.
In 2022, a total of 18 fatalities were reported.
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CS Bore ascribed the deaths to a variety of diseases and, in a few instances, to murder.
“The causes of death range from illness to homicide, and the next of kin were appropriately notified of the reported cases of death through the established channels,” said Bore.
The minister appeared before the National Assembly to answer queries from members.
This year alone, Kenyan migrant workers in the three Gulf countries have lodged a record 175 cases of labor dispute.
“A total of 121 cases were resolved by involving conflicting parties and Saudi authorities when necessary.” Subsequently, a total of 97,173 Saudi Riyals were recovered and paid to the respective parties, the CS reported.
The conflicts centered on unpaid wages, change of employer, burden, termination after concluding an employment contract, medical treatment, injuries being held in recruitment agencies, and housing without being assigned a job.
Also reported are cases of fugitive employees, residency identification cards, travel documents, and routine contract extensions.
The exportation of domestic employees to the Gulf region is being vigorously opposed by female legislators.
Under the auspices of the Kenya Women’s Parliamentary Association, a group of female MPs stated that the ban would enable the two countries to implement adequate protection measures for Kenyans in Saudi.
Legislators asserted that the majority of employees have been deprived of their freedom of expression and speech because they are not permitted to communicate with the outside world, including their families.
In some cases, they are forced to work in multiple homes, for extended hours, and without adequate rest.
Saudi leads in deaths of Kenyan migrants to Gulf says Labour CS