Restrain Kenyans from Gulf chores, women MPs demand

Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (Kewopa) yesterday asked the government to impose a total ban on the deployment of domestic workers to the Middle East.

Speaking yesterday, lawmakers also called for an intensive multi-sectoral engagement with the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Immigration, Labour and Social Protection to come up with a long term solution on the matter.

Led by Kewopa chairperson and Githunguri lawmaker Gathoni Wamuchomba, the leaders said it is regrettable that young girls who seek greener pastures return home in coffins.

Legisltors have since called on the government to provide data on the actual number of girls who are currently working in the Middle East countries and the measures being taken to protect them from further mistreatment.

They, however, welcomed the National Assembly’s decision to form a committee on migrant workers and Diaspora affairs, arguing the move would go a long way in addressing issues facing the workers.

“As Kewopa we are calling on Government authorities to ban the deployment of domestic workers to the Middle East until protection measures are taken because Kenyan workers do not deserve such kind of cruelty,” she said.

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She added: “Kewopa today joins fellow Kenyans in condemning assaults and abuse witnessed in the Middle East towards Kenyan female domestic workers. These acts not only amplify violence against women but also depict the sadistic nature in the human race.”

Wamuchomba narrated to the National employment Authority (NEA) that she is trying to help a girl, who became disabled in Saudi Arabia due to mistreatment, come back to Kenya.

She since urged NEA to provide a list of all agencies and the number of girls that have so far been deployed to Saudi Arabia.

The immediate former Kiambu Woman Rep noted that most migrant workers have been deprived of their freedom of expression and speech as they are not allowed to access any forms of communication from the outside world including their relatives.

“Most girls are forced to work in multiple homes and for longer hours and are denied enough sleep. Most employment agencies have also failed to protect the rights of the Kenyan women by giving out false reassurance to the victims’ families. Most workers are neither allowed to seek medical attention nor allowed to leave the country since their passports have been confiscated by the so-called agency officials,” she said.

Nominated Senator Veronica Maina said it is sad that young Kenyans who are out to make a living have been dying in the hands of rogue employers.

Nakuru Women Rep  Liza Chelule said there is a need for the government to regulate this sector to ensure young girls work in safe environments.

Moiben MP Phyllis Bartoo and Nominated MP Dorothy Muthoni said the ban is the only solution that the country has to address the current problem we are facing.

 “We have to stop this nonsense once and for all. We have to regulate this matter so that before these girls leave Kenya they will work in good conditions,” Bartoo stated.