My Employer Refused to Release My Passport After Request to Return Home, Laments Nigerian Worker in Kuwait
A Nigerian domestic worker in Kuwait, identified by the pseudonym Temitope Adewale, has alleged that her employer is preventing her from returning home after she expressed her desire to leave her job due to exhaustion and difficult working conditions.
Temitope, who reportedly travelled to Kuwait through a private recruitment agent, said she informed her employer that she could no longer continue with the job and was ready to purchase her own return ticket to Nigeria.
However, she claims the employer refused to release her passport, insisting she must first complete a two-year contract.
In voice notes and messages shared on social media, Temitope pleaded for help, explaining that she feels trapped and fears she may not be allowed to go home.
She said, “I told them I will pay for my return ticket myself, but they refused. They said I must finish my two-year contract. I just want to go home.”
Her account reflects longstanding concerns raised by migrant-rights organisations about the challenges faced by domestic workers in several Gulf countries.
Despite reforms in parts of the region, many workers continue to report issues such as passport seizure, excessive working hours, unpaid wages and restricted movement under variations of the kafala sponsorship system.
Advocates say Temitope’s case highlights the persistent vulnerability of Nigerian migrant workers abroad.
One activist noted that this situation persists because of weak protections, gaps in regulation and inadequate support systems for migrants.
They have called on the Nigerian Embassy in Kuwait, the Ministry of Labour and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) to intervene urgently, trace Temitope’s location and ensure she is allowed to return home if she wishes.
The incident has sparked debate online, with many Nigerians expressing frustration and urging the federal government to strengthen diplomatic engagement and create safer migration pathways for citizens seeking opportunities overseas.
