HRRG Demands Action as Ghanaian Domestic Worker Faces $15,000 Exit Demand in Iraq

A 27-year-old Ghanaian domestic worker is currently stranded in Iraq under troubling conditions after her employer allegedly demanded a staggering $15,000 payment before allowing her to return home, prompting urgent calls for intervention from Human Rights Reporters Ghana (HRRG).

The victim, Ms. Patience Asiam, travelled to Iraq in February 2025 to work as a domestic worker under a two-year contract facilitated by a recruitment agency identified as Sulamania Hasiah Company. However, after about one year of service, she reportedly developed a serious eye condition that forced her to stop working on medical grounds.

Instead of receiving support to return home, Ms. Asiam now finds herself trapped in a situation that raises serious human rights concerns. According to HRRG, her employer has made her release conditional upon the payment of $15,000—a demand the organization describes as excessive, exploitative, and potentially unlawful.

Even more concerning is the response of the recruitment agency, which has reportedly failed to assist the victim and appears to be aligned with the employer’s position, leaving her stranded and without support.

HRRG has characterized the situation as a possible case of labour exploitation and debt bondage, warning that such practices undermine the rights and dignity of migrant workers and expose them to further abuse.

In response, the organization has formally notified the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration and is actively engaging the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to facilitate urgent intervention, protection, and safe repatriation to Ghana.

The case has reignited concerns about the vulnerabilities faced by Ghanaian migrant workers, particularly domestic workers operating in foreign jurisdictions where enforcement of labour protections may be weak or inconsistent.

HRRG is therefore calling on the Government of Ghana and its international partners to act swiftly to:

• Secure Ms. Asiam’s immediate and unconditional release
• Ensure she receives urgent medical care for her condition
• Facilitate her safe and dignified return to Ghana
• Investigate the role of the recruitment agency involved

“This case underscores the urgent need for stronger safeguards to protect Ghanaian migrant workers from exploitation and abuse abroad,” the organization noted.

HRRG is also urging civil society organizations, the media, and international human rights actors to support advocacy efforts aimed at securing justice for Ms. Asiam and preventing similar incidents in the future.

As efforts intensify, the organization says it will continue to monitor developments closely and engage relevant stakeholders to ensure that Ms. Asiam’s rights, safety, and dignity are fully protected.

By Human Rights Reporters Ghana