Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — HornCurrent.com | August 2, 2025
An Ethiopian domestic worker in Saudi Arabia, identified as Meqa Mohamed Arage, has received moral compensation following a reported incident of abuse, according to a statement from the Ethiopian Embassy in Riyadh.
Meqa, who traveled to Saudi Arabia four months ago under a two-year contract for domestic work, allegedly experienced mistreatment after requesting to return home to visit her family. Despite her plea, her employers reportedly refused and attempted to forcibly relocate her to an unknown destination.
Attempted Abduction Captured on Video
Footage showing two women allegedly trying to force Meqa into a vehicle was circulated widely on social media, sparking outrage and concern. The video served as a critical piece of evidence, leading the Ethiopian Embassy to formally report the case to Saudi authorities.
Embassy Intervention and Legal Action
According to Temam Ali, Head of Consular Affairs at the Ethiopian Embassy, the mission filed an official complaint with Saudi law enforcement, supported by images of the suspects and the car involved in the incident. As a result, the Saudi police launched an investigation, detained the two women, and safely returned Meqa to the embassy’s premises.
The embassy also engaged in sustained dialogue with Meqa’s employer, urging a resolution at the family level. Ultimately, the employer accepted responsibility for the actions and agreed to settle the matter through customary mediation.
Moral Compensation Granted
Temam Ali confirmed that Meqa Mohamed was granted 20,000 Saudi Riyals (approximately $5,300 USD) in moral compensation. Furthermore, the embassy facilitated her return ticket, and she is now in the process of traveling back to Ethiopia to reunite with her family.
New Labor Agreement Protects Migrant Rights
Officials highlighted that the recently enacted bilateral labor agreement between Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia clearly defines the rights and responsibilities of both employers and employees. It is designed to provide stronger protections for Ethiopian workers abroad and ensure legal recourse in cases of abuse.
“The agreement has created a solid framework for protecting migrant workers and ensuring their dignity and rights are upheld,” said Temam Ali. “Our embassy will continue to closely monitor Ethiopian citizens working in the Kingdom.”
Call for Worker Registration
The embassy emphasized that all Ethiopian workers traveling abroad should ensure their full registration and maintain contact with diplomatic missions to facilitate oversight and rapid intervention in emergency cases.
Source: Saudi Ethiopia 🇪🇹 Embassy
