Around 5,000 Nigerian women are stranded in Iraq after traveling to work as caregivers, Rudaw news agency reported citing the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission. Many face difficult conditions, with some cases ending in mysterious deaths, the report said, adding that efforts are underway to repatriate a recently deceased caregiver and investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.
The commission has warned against the dangers of irregular migration and urged Nigerians to seek opportunities locally to avoid exploitation and risk. Reports indicate that some workers are transported through Gulf countries and brought into Iraq illegally. There are nearly one million foreign workers in Iraq, 70% of whom lack proper permits, according to the Iraqi Workers Union.
Iraq’s labor laws require employers to bear the costs of workers’ travel and repatriation in the event of death, but enforcement is inconsistent. Migrants working in construction, security, and domestic roles often face forced labor, underpayment, and poor living conditions, according to the United States 2024 Trafficking in Persons report.
