Filipino domestic workers reveal the abuses they faced in Saudi Arabia
A number of Filipino women working in private households in Saudi Arabia are being overworked, exploited and subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment, including sexual assault, all of which is being enabled by the country’s abusive labour system and a lack of effective protections.
Amnesty International is calling on the Saudi Arabian government to immediately investigate all allegations of abuse and bring perpetrators to justice as well as ensure proper, proactive labour inspections.
Here, two of the women interviewed for Amnesty’s new briefing, “Once we step in their homes, we are no longer human”: Testimonies of Filipino women domestic workers in Saudi Arabia, share their stories.
“I thought my body was going to collapse”
Gloria* took on the role of a domestic worker in Saudi Arabia for two years
I decided to take a job in Saudi Arabia when I was 44. My son was in college and my husband’s salary couldn’t cover the bills. I’d worked in Kuwait previously and I’d had a positive experience.
I found a legitimate recruitment agency on Facebook who processed my papers, arranged a medical as well as training for no fee. The agency told me to read my contract properly to ensure I understood everything. It stated I would work eight hours a day.
But when I arrived, the working hours didn’t ring true. After eight hours of work, the family would knock on my door, telling me there was further work in the house. It was continuous. I would get 15 minutes’ rest [for the whole working day], if I was lucky. I wasn’t allowed a day off, instead the only time I would go outside was during a family picnic when I had to look after one of the family members.
For five months, I worked from 6am – 8pm. I didn’t even have time to go to the toilet. Seven people lived in the house and they always wanted something.
I told them what was stated in my contract, but they told me to go back to the agency if I had an issue.
One of the family members had a disability, so while I was working, I had to keep an eye on her too, ensuring I was extra vigilant.
I did everything – cooking, cleaning, sorting the clothes and looking after the teenagers.
In total, I was paid $400 a month, but each month I would be left with nothing, after paying for [my son’s] university and accommodation.
Over Ramadan I thought my body was going to collapse – I was so tired, stressed and barely sleeping.
*Gloria, domestic worker
After five months I spoke to my agency who told me to check in again within one month – I think they may have spoken to my boss, as they told me to speak up for myself.
Things did get better for a time, and when I went to rest, I would try and stay there for an hour, however they would still come knocking, giving me work to do.
Over Ramadan I thought my body was going to collapse – I was so tired, stressed and barely sleeping.
At one point, I started to get paid later and later. In fact, I wasn’t paid in full until I went home. You must fight for yourself, because otherwise they’re not going to give you what you deserve.
After two years I was ready to go home. I had already collapsed; my blood pressure was sky high. I was hospitalized for a night and when I went back to the house, I was made to work even though I was dizzy.
As well as issues with the hours, one of the sons would shout at me and sometimes he would rub up on me and touch me like he was testing whether I would flinch or fight, or if I would just laugh it off. I was worried I would come to harm if I stayed longer.
At the end, they were trying to convince me to stay, and I knew that the only way they would let me leave was if I went on vacation and signed a contract saying I would come back after four months. After the time passed though, I blocked them and cut all contact. My decision to leave was for my own safety.
“I was afraid of what might happen if I stayed longer… I feared I would be raped”
Isabelle* was a domestic worker in Saudi Arabia for three months
Like many others, I decided to work overseas so I could provide a better future for my family. I have five children. During the pandemic, my husband lost his job, and even after that he couldn’t find another one. At that time, I was working in a bar [in the Philippines], but it wasn’t enough.
I wanted to earn more. That’s why when someone offered me a job abroad, I grabbed the opportunity — not knowing it would become my worst nightmare. After everything that happened, I told myself I would never go through that again.
When I arrived in Saudi Arabia in July 2023, the agency was already waiting for me. They took me to their accommodation, and that same day, my employer came to pick me up — the one listed on my contract. At first, she was nice. When we got to the house, she gave me food and told me to rest. She said that the next day we would go to her mother’s house.
That’s when things became really difficult for me. Her mother was very strict, especially when it came to food. There were nine people in the household. I worked there for five days a week, and then for two days I worked at my employer’s own house, where there were seven people. But my contract said I would only work for a household of five.
I would wake up at around 5am and only sleep at around 2am. I was getting about two hours of sleep every night.
*Isabelle, domestic worker
I did everything — all the cleaning, all the work. When they had visitors, I would not stop working until everyone had gone. Even on normal days, I had to do everything, including taking care of my employer’s baby and sleeping beside the child.
Food was very limited. I could only eat rice once a week. Most days, I only ate instant noodles and eggs. And I was only allowed one egg, because the mother counted them. She was very strict about it. I would wake up at around 5am and only sleep at around 2am. I was getting about two hours of sleep every night.
What I feared most was when my female employer would ask me to clean their room, because her husband would be there. One day, I pulled up the comforter and there he was under it in the bed, masturbating and calling me to lie beside him. I ran out of the room and went to the rooftop. I would hide there because I could lock it and he wouldn’t be able to reach me. Sometimes I felt like I preferred staying at the mother’s house. The work there was too much and very difficult, but at least I felt safer.
I called my husband and told him I really wanted to come home. I couldn’t take it any more. But I stayed for three months because I was trying to find a way to escape safely. I was afraid of what might happen if I stayed longer… I feared I would be raped.
Other Filipinos living nearby helped me. They brought me to the embassy in a windowless van in October 2023. It was a seven-hour trip, and it was very hot. I didn’t bring anything with me because they told me I could be accused of stealing, even if the things were mine. When I arrived at the embassy, my employer also came later and returned my belongings, including my phone and passport and begged me not to file a case against her husband.
*Names have been changed for protection purposes. Photos used are stock images.