The Global Slavery Index 2023

Spotlights 4 

​Anti-Social: Modern Slavery on Social Media (Part 3)
Building and abusing trust online: Experiences of a domestic worker 
 
Cherry (Not her real name), a 25-year-old from the Philippines, migrated to Kuwait in 2013 to earn a better income as a domestic worker. “I accepted the job opportunity to help my family be able to stand poverty.” 
 
Cherry’s first employer treated her well; however, they paid her less than the salary of KWD 120 (approximately US$390) she was promised, so they agreed to release her at the end of her contract. Meanwhile, Cherry used social media, especially Facebook, to connect with family and friends back home. 
 
“My employer didn’t mind it as long as I finished my daily tasks. It is where I met Joan, a domestic worker who lived in Salwa, Kuwait. We spoke a lot, shared videos, thoughts, and family life. We became very close.” 
 
With her contract coming to an end, Cherry told Joan she was looking for a new employer. They continued to talk, send greetings, and occasionally make video calls, and their friendship grew deeper. Then suddenly, Joan stopped sending messages. When she eventually came back online, she refused to accept video calls, claiming her employer forbid them. 
 
One day, Cherry received a message from Joan saying that she had found an employer willing to pay Cherry KWD 250 (approximately US$815) if she went immediately. Cherry sought permission from her employer but was told she needed to wait three more months before she could transfer to a new job. So, she ran away, believing this was her only chance to change her fate. 
 
“I went to the jamiya, the location we agreed to meet. I was excited to meet Joan for the first time.” 
 
Yet, when Cherry called Joan, she said she could not come. Instead, a man in a white car picked Cherry up and brought her to an old building, and told her Joan was inside waiting for her. 
 
“The place was dark and scary. The man locked the door behind me. Grabbed me and pushed me in one of the rooms. I was abducted and forced to have sex with men...I felt like I am no longer human.” 
 
The perpetrators had taken the Facebook accounts of Joan and the other women trapped in the building and forced them to call their friends. 
 
“They took my Facebook account and stole my identity just like they did to Joan. They sent KWD 120 monthly to my family so they would not report that I am missing to the OWWA [Overseas Workers Welfare Administration]. They let me talk to my family sometimes, but for a very short time with a knife pointing at me not to say anything suspicious. I was scared and helpless.” 
 
One day, a tip off led to a rescue operation. Cherry was taken to the police station and then a shelter where she received assistance and a medical check-up. 
 
“I got deported for running away from my employer. I was thankful being deported and seeing my family.” 
 
The men who operated the scheme were captured and imprisoned by the Kuwait authorities. 
 
Walk Free 2023. Global Slavery Index 2023. Minderoo Foundation Ltd. Australia.