Kenya: Recruitment agency says it is not responsible for conduct of employers after allegations of torture of immigrant worker in Saudi Arabia
Summary
Date Reported: 4 Jan 2021
Location: Saudi Arabia
Other
Not Reported ( Domestic worker agencies ) - RecruiterAffected
Total individuals affected: 1
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - Kenya , Domestic worker agencies , Gender not reported )Issues
Violence , Human Trafficking , Restricted mobility , Freedom of MovementResponse
Response sought: No
Action taken: A relative of the worker called the agency that had recruited her; a representative stated that the firm only connected workers and employers and denied responsibility for the workers' welfare.
Source type: News outlet
"Family of woman in Saudi Arabia cry for help"
Rebecca Chesang', 30, was working in a restaurant in Eldoret town until February last year when she got an opportunity to work in Saudi Arabia. Chesang'(pictured), who comes from Kapkenyeloi village in Nandi County, was introduced to an employment agency linking potential domestic workers to other agencies in Saudi Arabia, and she signed a deal. However, it has brought her nothing but pain and anguish. For the last month, she has been crying for help to be evacuated from the Gulf nation after her employer allegedly started mistreating her...
Speaking to The Standard three days ago, Chesang' claimed the agency which took her to Saudi Arabia had promised her a job in Australia only for her to end up in Saudi Arabia. Chesang' said the agency has also stopped picking her calls.
A relative, Doris Jepkurui, said Chesang' has been sending her audio recordings crying for help..Jepkurui said they called a Ms Grace, the director of the agency, pretending to be seeking employment in the Gulf country, but she said the firm only connects job seekers to employers and can’t be held responsible for the employees’ woes. “As soon as you are there, the responsibility of your welfare rests on the employer,” she said. Grace said she was not aware of Chesang’s case since the agency connects hundreds of young women to job opportunities in Saudi Arabia.