Research PaperPatterns of abuse amongst Sri Lankan women returning home after working as domestic maids in the Middle East: An exploratory study of medico-legal referrals
Section snippets
Background and rationale for the study
Globally an estimated 52–100 million people work as domestic migrant workers abroad, 75% of them women, with many having little or no access to legal, social and health protection schemes.1 Many have limited or no access to legal, social and health protection schemes. Despite being recognised as a critical issue at the nexus of development and human rights, migrant worker abuse is poorly documented in the scientific literature.2, 3
Nearly one in ten Sri Lankan citizens are employed overseas as
Materials and methods
A cross-sectional study design was used. Sri Lankan female domestic maids returning from the Middle East region referred for medico-legal opinion were interviewed by a judicial medical officer (JMO) and a comprehensive medico-legal examination undertaken.
Socio-demographic characteristics
A total of 20 women were included in the study with the majority being of Sinhalese ethnicity (60%) (Table 1). The mean age of the interviewees were 35.6 years, with a range of 22–52 years. The majority of the participants had secondary education (75%), and had a literacy of at least one language.
Patterns of migration
Details of migration and employment history are presented in Table 2. The majority of participants (90%) returned prematurely, before contract period of employment. The average duration of work
Discussion
While the exploitation and abuse of female migrant workers have been well publicised13 there is a paucity of research evidence in examining cases of such maid abuse. This exploratory study sought to identify and discern patterns of worker abuse, and capture relevant experiences in returning international migrant workers. The study is the first to report findings of maid abuse through cases examined through a medico-legal process in Sri Lanka.
Our study demonstrates that migrant worker abuse
Conclusion
With growing numbers of low-skilled labour migrant flows from low to middle income countries, migrant worker abuse remains a concern from a human rights groups and a medico-legal point of view.1, 2 Migrant worker abuse can be defined as physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, spiritual, verbal, financial, cultural abuse and neglect, often occurring through multiple trajectories of abuse and throughout the migration cycle (pre-departure at destination or upon return). Future iterations of
Acknowledgements
We are indebted to the engagement of study participants who extend all cooperation in what is challenging and difficult research area and clinical investigation process. Their resilience is truly inspiring. We acknowledge the support of clinical staff at Negombo General Hospital, IOM Sri Lanka (Chief of Mission) and IOM Headquarters (Director of Migration Health Division) for supporting us in undertaking the study in addition to our regular work programs. Authors declare no conflict of interest.
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