In 2014, a nonprofit organization Human Rights Watch interviewed 99 domestic workers based in the United Arab Emirates, which is home to an estimated 146,000 domestic workers. Most reported working long hours of unpaid overtime—sometimes up to 21 hours per day—and many said that their wages had been withheld. Others had been confined to their employers’ houses, or deprived of food or rest. 24 reported physical or sexual abuse.
In 2014, a nonprofit organization Human Rights Watch interviewed 99 domestic workers based in the United Arab Emirates, which is home to an estimated 146,000 domestic workers. Most reported working long hours of unpaid overtime—sometimes up to 21 hours per day—and many said that their wages had been withheld. Others had been confined to their employers’ houses, or deprived of food or rest. 24 reported physical or sexual abuse.
The Dubai story is no different from what Kenyan doctors are suffering from in Cuba as they study.
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has said that the circumstances surrounding Dr Juma’s death, one of the Cuban doctors who is alleged to have committed suicide were not yet clear.
Dr Hamisi Ali Juma death came a day before he could be received back in the country by his family after a long period away.
The Kenyan Government lured 50 Kenyan Doctors from 47 Counties to a promise of training in Cuba that didn’t come to be.
The result has been a very frustrating ordeal for the doctors but leaves one family in permanent sorrow and mourning.
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un! pic.twitter.com/SwhtQAxWvi— KMPDU (@kmpdu) March 18, 2019
His colleagues, friends and relatives are still in shock with the fact that the doctor, who was undertaking postgraduate diploma training in family medicine in Cuba, could have taken his own life.
“What happened in between is still a mystery”
Details emerging indicate that any complaint or any reports in media results in remittance being delayed and thus the doctors live in fear and soak with their problems and dare not speak to anyone.
Union officials back in the country say that their colleagues in the Caribbean country are suffering.
“There are many problems — from unconcerned embassy and the Ministry of Health, stipend cannot sustain daily living, internet costs are astronomical, harassment from all sides you dare not walk out of the programme” Dr Mwachonda said.
“We are communicating with our colleagues in Cuba, the welfare of our members is critical to the union. “Mwachonda added
Dr Mwachonda said the cost of living in Cuba is high compared with Kenya, adding that the allowances the doctors were supposed to receive were slashed from Sh144,000 to Sh36,000 monthly.
“They are living in one central place, in dormitories which are very far from where they go for training, food is also an issue. There is frustration and challenges, pressure and intimidation,” the doctor said.
The union alleges that Kenyan doctors studying in Cuba were also warned against opting out of the programme. “They were warned of dire consequences if they opted out, including disciplinary action and deductions of money paid for the programme,” Dr Mwachonda added.
“Investigations are ongoing. As we await the full police report, we urge and request fellow Kenyans especially his colleagues in Cuba to be sensitive to the grieving family and refrain from discussing the case on social media,” reads the statement in part.
The union now wants all Kenyan doctors in Cuba to be repatriated to study in Kenya. Two weeks ago the doctors wrote a letter to Parliament’s Health Committee on the challenges they faced in the Caribbean country. Dr Mwachonda says the government had not responded to the letter.