The mistreatment of domestic workers from Southeast Asia in the Middle East has led to various diplomatic disputes between countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. Cases of abuse and injustice towards domestic workers have sparked public outrage in Southeast Asia, leading to formal protests and diplomatic actions by sending countries. In 2011, Indonesia recalled its ambassador to Saudi Arabia after the execution of an Indonesian domestic worker accused of killing her employer, citing a lack of prior notification and protection for the worker.
Despite the normalization of Indonesia-Saudi relations, instances of Indonesian domestic workers facing execution in Saudi Arabia continued, with Jakarta arguing that the workers were acting in self-defense due to abuse. As a result, Indonesia imposed a moratorium on sending domestic workers to Saudi Arabia and 18 other countries in the Middle East and North Africa in 2015. Similarly, a diplomatic row between the Philippines and Kuwait emerged in 2018 after the death of a Filipina maid found inside a freezer in her employer’s apartment.
President Rodrigo Duterte responded by banning the sending of new domestic workers to Kuwait, and tensions escalated further when the Filipino embassy in Kuwait aided the escape of abused citizens without Kuwaiti coordination. The crisis led to the expulsion of the Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait and the issuance of arrest warrants against embassy personnel. Eventually, both countries agreed to normalize relations, with Kuwait providing more rights and benefits to domestic workers, and the Philippines lifting its ban.
Despite these diplomatic disputes, relationships between Southeast Asia and the Middle East in other sectors have largely remained unaffected. Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, for instance, continued to be key trade and investment partners even during the ban on sending new domestic workers. Indonesia, as the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, also maintained a strong partnership with Saudi Arabia for the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Similarly, the Philippines and Kuwait remained important trading partners in sectors such as oil and gas, apparel, and fruits despite the diplomatic crisis over the treatment of domestic workers.
In conclusion, the mistreatment of domestic workers from Southeast Asia in the Middle East has caused diplomatic tensions between sending and host countries, leading to protests, bans, and diplomatic rows. While instances of abuse and injustice have strained relations, countries have managed to resolve disputes and maintain partnerships in other sectors. The cases mentioned serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by domestic workers abroad and the importance of protecting their rights and safety through diplomatic efforts and cooperation between countries.
