“Working Like a Robot”

“Adila K.,” 35, said she returned from Oman in January 2017 after spending a year working for a family who confiscated her passport, paid her less than promised, and forced her to work excessive hours without rest or a day off. Kiwangwa village, Tanzania.
“Adila K.,” 35, said she returned from Oman in January 2017 after spending a year working for a family who confiscated her passport, paid her less than promised, and forced her to work excessive hours without rest or a day off. Kiwangwa village, Tanzania.  © 2017 Rothna Begum/Human Rights Watch
Domestic workers at a workshop in October 2016 in Zanzibar, discussing ways to organize and support rights of Tanzanian domestic workers in Gulf states. Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Domestic workers at a workshop in October 2016 in Zanzibar, discussing ways to organize and support rights of Tanzanian domestic workers in Gulf states.  Zanzibar, Tanzania.  © 2017 Rothna Begum/Human Rights Watch
Some women who earn enough money are able to build houses back home for themselves and their families. Many women migrate with dreams of being able to build a house for their families. House construction, Majohe, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Some women who earn enough money are able to build houses back home for themselves and their families. Many women migrate with dreams of being able to build a house for their families. House construction, Majohe, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. © 2017 Rothna Begum/Human Rights Watch
Interpreter uncovering a scar on the head of “Basma N.” Basma said her employer’s son turned on a ceiling fan while she was cleaning the top of a cupboard. The fan hit her head and she fell.
Interpreter uncovering a scar on the head of “Basma N.” Basma said her employer’s son turned on a ceiling fan while she was cleaning the top of a cupboard. The fan hit her head and she fell. Bleeding heavily from the cut to her head, she fled to the Tanzanian embassy. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.  © 2017 Rothna Begum/Human Rights Watch
Dotto B., 31, said her employer in Oman physically assaulted her, forced her to work 20 hours a day with no rest and no day off, and paid her 50 OMR ($130) instead of 80 OMR ($208) per month as per the contract. Mwanza, Tanzania.
Dotto B., 31, said her employer in Oman physically assaulted her, forced her to work 20 hours a day with no rest and no day off, and paid her 50 OMR ($130) instead of 80 OMR ($208) per month as per the contract. Mwanza, Tanzania.  © 2017 Rothna Begum/Human Rights Watch
Rehema M., 30, said her employer in Oman forced her to work after she sustained a burn on her hand when a thermos she was cleaning exploded. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Rehema M., 30, said her employer in Oman forced her to work after she sustained a burn on her hand when a thermos she was cleaning exploded. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.  © 2017 Rothna Begum/Human Rights Watch
Employment visa from Oman in the passport of a former Tanzanian domestic worker. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Employment visa from Oman in the passport of a former Tanzanian domestic worker. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.  © 2017 Rothna Begum/Human Rights Watch
Cecilia, 22, said in Oman she worked 16 hours a day with no rest and no day off, and was paid 60 OMR instead of the 100 OMR her agent promised. She said her employer made sexual advances towards her and hit her after she refused. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Cecilia, 22, said in Oman she worked 16 hours a day with no rest and no day off, and was paid 60 OMR instead of the 100 OMR her agent promised. She said her employer made sexual advances towards her and hit her after she refused. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. © 2017 Sophie Stolle
Lulu Omar, coordinator for domestic workers at Zanzibar: Conservation, Hotels, Domestic and Allied Workers Union (CHODAWU-Z), describing her campaign to register Tanzanian domestic workers before they migrate. Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Lulu Omar, coordinator for domestic workers at Zanzibar: Conservation, Hotels, Domestic and Allied Workers Union (CHODAWU-Z), describing her campaign to register Tanzanian domestic workers before they migrate. Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania. © 2017 Rothna Begum/Human Rights Watch
Mwajuma H., 27, said in 2015 she fled to the Tanzanian embassy in Oman after her employer physically abused her and did not pay her salary.
Mwajuma H., 27, said in 2015 she fled to the Tanzanian embassy in Oman after her employer physically abused her and did not pay her salary. The embassy allowed the agency to take her back on the assurance that they would send her home despite Mwajuma’s protests that the agent beats women. The agent forced her to work for new employers without pay. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.  © 2017 Rothna Begum/Human Rights Watch
Poster detailing domestic workers’ rights at the office of Zanzibar: Conservation, Hotels, Domestic and Allied Workers Union (CHODAWU-Z). Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania.
Poster detailing domestic workers’ rights at the office of Zanzibar: Conservation, Hotels, Domestic and Allied Workers Union (CHODAWU-Z).  Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania.  © 2017 Rothna Begum/Human Rights Watch
Asma, 24, said that following months of isolation and abuse while working as a domestic worker in Oman: “I felt mentally unstable.” She said it took another three months to recover after she returned to Tanzania. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Asma, 24, said that following months of isolation and abuse while working as a domestic worker in Oman: “I felt mentally unstable.” She said it took another three months to recover after she returned to Tanzania. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.  © 2017 Rothna Begum/Human Rights Watch
Deograsia Vuluwa, Director of Gender, Women and Children at the Tanzanian Conservation, Hotels, Domestic and Allied Workers Union (CHODAWU), advocating for Tanzania to provide better protections for Tanzanian domestic workers in the Middle East.
Deograsia Vuluwa, Director of Gender, Women and Children at the Tanzanian Conservation, Hotels, Domestic and Allied Workers Union (CHODAWU), advocating for Tanzania to provide better protections for Tanzanian domestic workers in the Middle East. CHODAWU is also campaigning for Tanzania to ratify ILO Domestic Workers Convention. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania  © 2017 Rothna Begum/Human Rights Watch