Instagram fuels rise in black-market sales of maids into Persian Gulf servitude
Summary
Date Reported: 5 May 2021
Location: United Arab Emirates
Companies
Meta (formerly Facebook) - RecruiterAffected
Total individuals affected: 1
Migrant & immigrant workers: (1 - Philippines, Domestic worker agencies)Issues
Forced Labour & Modern Slavery, Adequate Living Standards, Recruitment Fees, Human Trafficking, Personal HealthResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Journalist
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: News outlet
Summary
Date Reported: 5 May 2021
Location: United Arab Emirates
Companies
Alphasher Recruiting Agency - Unknown, Meta (formerly Facebook) - UnknownAffected
Total individuals affected: 16
Migrant & immigrant workers: (15 - Location unknown, Domestic worker agencies), Migrant & immigrant workers: (1 - Kenya, Domestic worker agencies)Issues
Intimidation, Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions, Restricted mobility, Human Trafficking, Forced Labour & Modern Slavery, Wage Theft, Freedom of MovementResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Journalist
Action taken: None reported.
Source type: News outlet
....... When she landed in Dubai last fall on a flight from Nairobi, Vivian said she had expected to begin work immediately as a maid, but instead her recruitment agent drove her to a house on the outskirts of the city and locked her in a cramped room with 15 other women. She was held there for several weeks, sleeping on the floor, until the agent found her an employer by advertising on Instagram, she said. Her photo had been uploaded onto her agent’s account, which was examined by The Washington Post, along with personal details such as her weight, nationality and date of birth.
.....Many of the Instagram posts gave the women’s full names and passport numbers, which could pose a privacy risk for them but also made it possible for eight maids to be located and interviewed for this article.