'My skin was peeling' – the African women tricked into making Russian drones
16 days ago
- #drone production
- #human trafficking
- #labor exploitation
- Adau, a 23-year-old from South Sudan, was lured to Russia's Alabuga Special Economic Zone under false pretenses of professional training.
- The Alabuga Start program recruits young women from Africa, Latin America, and South-East Asia, promising jobs in logistics, catering, and hospitality but allegedly forces them into drone production.
- Workers sign NDAs, preventing them from discussing their jobs, and face dangerous conditions, including exposure to harmful chemicals and Ukrainian drone strikes.
- Adau and others were misled about their roles, ending up in drone factories despite applying for different technical fields.
- Workers report low pay, with salaries significantly lower than advertised, and deductions for various reasons, including missed work and rule violations.
- Some women cannot afford to leave due to financial constraints, while others defend the program, citing company rules and the ability to leave anytime.
- Adau left the program after realizing the moral implications of contributing to Russia's war efforts, but many remain trapped.