Date of Graduation
Winter 12-13-2013
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in International Studies (MAIS)
College/School
College of Arts and Sciences
First Advisor
Anne Louise Bartlett
Abstract
Kenya’s economy remains the regional leader within the East African Community (EAC) and among East African countries at large. However, political instability such as the 2007 post-election violence and the region’s social and political instability trickling into Kenya, have negatively affected the country’s economic growth. To bridge the economic gap, Kenyan women are seeking employment in the domestic service sector in the Gulf Countries, with Saudi Arabia being the most popular destination. At their destination countries, some domestic workers are subjected to various forms of abuse by their employers, leaving the worker without recourse due to the lack of legal structures outlining the rights of domestic workers. This research aims to investigate the motivation to migrate, the experience of the domestic worker once at the destination country, and the sending government’s role to protect its citizens.
To meet these objectives, I have gathered primary data by conducting in-depth interviews with returnees regarding their work experience. I also interviewed a government representative to understand the government’s role in protecting migrant domestic workers, and a recruitment agent to detail the recruitment and migration process. Findings indicate that despite the potential risk for abuse, women are likely to continue migrating to Gulf Countries as they are lured by the international wage differential. Unfortunately, most women end up being paid less than they were promised while in the country of origin, and the little they earn gets remitted back home,leaving them virtually empty handed in the destination country.
Recommended Citation
Gikuru, Caroline Muthoni, "The Plight of Kenyan Domestic Workers in Gulf Countries" (2013). Master's Theses. 97.
https://repository.usfca.edu/thes/97
Included in
African Studies Commons, Feminist Philosophy Commons, Human Rights Law Commons, Immigration Law Commons, Income Distribution Commons, International Economics Commons, International Law Commons, International Relations Commons, Labor and Employment Law Commons, Labor Economics Commons, Law and Gender Commons, Other International and Area Studies Commons, Other Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration Commons, Political Economy Commons, Public Policy Commons, Race and Ethnicity Commons, Social Welfare Commons, Sociology of Culture Commons, Women's Studies Commons, Workers' Compensation Law Commons
Comments
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary……………………………………………………........................... ii
Table of Contents …..…………………………………………………………………….. iii
Abbreviations ……...…………………………………………………………………….... v
Maps……………………………………………………………………………………….. vi
Acknowledgement……………………………………………………………………….. vii
Chapter One ………………….…………………………………………………….…..… 1
1.1Introduction……………………...…………………................…………………….......1
1.2 Research Questions ……………………………………………………...........….... 3
Chapter Two:Review of Secondary Literature ……………………………………....…. 5
2.1 Role of Racism…………………………....…………………………..…................... 7
2.1.1 Colonial Legacies …………………………………………… …..................…… 13
2.2 Emotional Labor ………………………………….…………………………............ 18
2.3 Valuation of Domestic Work …………………………………....................………. 23
2.4 Labor Legislation ………………………………………………………….........…... 31
Chapter Three: Migration Theories…………….................……..……..…................... 35
3.1 Push-Pull Factors ………………………………………………..................……… 36
3.2 Neo-classical Immigration Theory …………………………………..…........…..... 37
3.3 New Economic of Migration …………………………………………..................… 37
Chapter Four: Regulations of Migration and Domestic Work ………………….……. 39
4.1 International Instruments ………………………..…………….....................……... 39
4.2 Regional Agreements ……………………………………………………................ 42
4.3 Domestic Laws …………………………………………………………….............. 43
4.4 Bilateral Agreements ………………………………………………….......….......... 45
Chapter Five: Data Findings and Case Studies ………………………………….…... 47
5.1 Research Methodology …………………………………….………………............ 49
5.2 Limitation of the Study ………………………………………………………........... 50
Data Findings ……………………………………………………….............................. 51
5.3 Passport Confiscation ……………………………………………..…………......... 51
5.4 Physical Abuse ……………..............………………………………...…................ 52
5.5 Sexual Abuse ……………………………………………………………….........…. 53
5.6 Verbal Abuse ……………………………………….....………………………......... 55
5.7 Sleep Deprivation ……………………………………………….…......…...…........ 56
5.8 Food Deprivation ………………………………………………………................... 57
5.9 Labor Exploitation ………………………………………….....…...………….......... 59
5.10 Movement Restriction ………………………………………....………........……. 63
5.11 Imprisonment Prior to Deportation …………………….........…………........…… 64
5.12 Racism …………………………………………………….………………........…. 65
5.13 Religious Intolerance ……………………………………………………...........… 65
5.14 Psychological Abuse ……………………………………………………...........… 66
Chapter Six: Discussion and Recommendations ……………………………………. 67
6.1 Discussion …………………………………………....……………………..........… 67
6.2 Recommendations ………………………………………........………..............…. 76
Conclusion ………………….………………………………………..………………….. 79
References ……………………………………………………………………….….….. 84
Appendices ………………………………………………………………….........…..… 91