The US has suspended visas for domestic workers of Malawian diplomats after an official failed to pay damages to a woman she had trafficked into the country.
The above follows growing concern for human trafficking, as African Nationals are brought to overseas locations for employment, only to be abused and underpaid. A short documentary by BBC’s African Eye shows that 2.8 million million work as maids in the Middle East, working in abusive households. According to the video, the women have their passports confiscated upon arrival.
In 2016, Malawian national Fainess Lipenga was awarded $1.1m (£860,000) after a lawsuit against her employer at Malawi’s Washington embassy, Jane Kambalame. Ms Lipenga worked for less than 50 cents an hour and was mentally abused. Kambalame has denied the allegations made against her.
A US State Department spokesperson told the BBC that the Department had informed US Congress on Wednesday (19th June) about its decision to suspend Malawi’s A-3 visa privileges, which allow foreign officials to bring domestic employees into the US.