5 ways you can use tech to help protect Somali maids in Saudi Arabia.

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Somalinimo is currently experiencing a global decline and its victims will become the unheard and vulnerable.

Here's 5 ways a tech startup can help protect Somali maids in Saudi Arabia and make sustainable revenue at the same time.

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1. Outsource the software:
The Somali tech scene is still in its infancy and finding reliable developers to create software without bugs and downtime can be difficult. Using developers in India, Malalysia and Indonesia will help you lower costs and get a working beta without dishing 150k for western developers.

2. Charge a fee
Some say there are 50k maids and other sources have claimed the number to be between 5-15k. This creates an opportunity from non-biased startup to work as middleman between the employer and employee. A service fee or monthly minimum payment like a union fee can be paid by maids through their employers to cover as a buffer between the two parties and help pay for operational costs while setting aside money for educational and medical services.

3. Build it like a CRM.
The startup must treat the maids like clients and have their interest before anything else. A Client Relation Managament system can help catalogue clients by name, DOB, photo ID, family contacts, employers name and address, including any conflicts or disputes. Clients can report anything from incidents to positive feedback. A three strike system can be implemented where if any Saudi Household has more than three infractions they will be banned from hiring Somali clients who are listed in the startups software.

4. Create the much needed insurance culture.
Ever since the incident with the Ethiopian maid went viral, many maids have come out to file grievances and share their stories with the world. Somali maids are not and will not be protected under the current protocol of "Arrive and Forget". Many Somali maids can benefit from paying a voluntary fee for getting extra attention and care in case something happens. If 20% of the 15k maids pay a fee of 10$, it can be used to cover fees like sending 100 maids home who were violated and do not want to stay around--just as an example.

5. Help the Somali Embassy keep Saudi Government Accountable
Lack of accountability, compliance and reporting is the Achilles heal when protecting Somali women in Saudi Arabia. The embassy cannot look at this startup as a threat to relations between Saudis and Somalis, but if there is no independent body that can keep employers accountable and clients safe--there is not reason to put relation over dhiig. The embassy has limited resources and capabilities in monitoring the maid issues in Somalia. Many maids have had their passports, cellphones and public resource information taken away from them. Having a 3rd party report non-biased on behalf of the clients can help keep Saudis on their toes and increase safety to Somali maids.


Somali maids won't stop going to Saudi Arabia, but finding ways to protect them must start.
If you read this far, you can also make a decent return in helping others. The costs to start something like this include an office near the Somali embassy, outsourced software engineers and a operating capital to run day-to-day administration. If we don't find creative ways in handling our problems the future of Somalis will always stay in the past.
 

Genie

The last suugo bender
So let me get this straight , you're suggesting WE make the Somali maids PAY whilst continuing to serve under barbaric arabs so that we can be the "middle man" whatever that means.

BTW most of them don't get paid so where do you suppose they get their money from , another problem is they are contracted to these people and will most likely be taken to court will you cover those fees for them on top of that they most likely will not be allowed to leave the home let along those who are lucky enough to escape AND survive to tell the tale. This plan seems so far fetched.
 
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