Illegal migrant Basotho women in South Africa: Exposure to vulnerability in domestic services

Maake J Masango,Mosiuoa B Makhata

doi:10.4102/hts.v77i2.6906

Maake J Masango, Mosiuoa B Makhata

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v77i2.6906

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Abstract

The illegal migration of Basotho women to South Africa in order to render domestic service is alarming because they are subjected to harsh treatment. This is a pastoral and theological concern for the church. As migrants, their struggle begins from the household circumstances that often force them to leave and seek job opportunities undocumented or without following prescribed migration procedures. They are then subjected to migration processes and procedures: for example, corruption and bribery by migration officers and illegal dealers (lirurubele). The working and living conditions in South Africa are often unconducive for illegal migrants. As economic and illegal migrants, they are often considered as lesser by prejudiced employers who treat them inhumanely. Accessing essential services also imposes a significant threat to their lives.Contribution: Through this study, the article will reveal the vulnerability faced by illegal migrant Basotho women as domestic workers in South Africa.

Highlights

For the longest time, the scripture is very honest about what it means to be human, and as a result, it shares the stories of several different people movements
The Church acts as a voice for the voiceless. It is concerned about the anguish of those without any security, at the mercy of every kind of mistreatment or abuse. It is the duty of the Church to remind those who abuse illegal migrant Basotho in domestic services in South Africa that they need to protect them as it is said in the book of Exodus: ‘You shall remember that you are slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; I command you to do this’ (Ex 24:18)
As strangers in a foreign land, they need to be uplifted by the shepherds as it is their core responsibility to be the voice of the voiceless by offering a pastoral care

Summary

Introduction

The scripture is very honest about what it means to be human, and as a result, it shares the stories of several different people movements. Some of the socio-economic factors driving Basotho women to join the domestic workforce in South Africa illegally can potentially influence human vulnerability to the workers themselves They are exposed to vulnerabilities including discrimination, forced labour, human trafficking, abuse, deprived access to information and restricted ability to leave or move. It is concerned about the anguish of those without any security, at the mercy of every kind of mistreatment or abuse It is the duty of the Church to remind those who abuse illegal migrant Basotho in domestic services in South Africa that they need to protect them as it is said in the book of Exodus: ‘You shall remember that you are slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; I command you to do this’ (Ex 24:18). It has pleased God to make men holy and save them not merely as individuals, without any mutual bonds, but by making them into a single people ... this solidarity must be constantly increased until that day on which it will be brought to perfection. (Flannery 1965:32)

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