In brief
A group of young women from South Sudan were misled by the Alabuga Start programme, which promised them legitimate job training in various fields. Instead, they were coerced into assembling drones under hazardous conditions, fueling the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Through the story of Adau, one of these women, we uncover the harsh realities of exploitation and human trafficking in this international labour scheme.
On her first day of work, Adau realized she had made a big mistake. Originally from South Sudan, the 23-year-old was brought to Russia under the Alabuga Start programme, which promised job opportunities for women aged 18 to 22. What was presented as a chance for professional training soon turned into a harrowing reality, as these women discovered they were coerced into working in a drone factory.
Adau, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, describes how she and her peers were unaware of the actual work awaiting them. We got our uniforms, not even knowing exactly what we were going to do. From the first day of work, we were taken to the drones factory. We saw drones everywhere and people working, she recounted.
The Alabuga Start programme has drawn international scrutiny, accused of using deception in recruiting practices and putting young workers in perilous working conditions for less pay than advertised. By some estimates, more than 1,000 women from Africa have been lowered into this situation, sparking investigations by governments and international organizations.
Initially intrigued by an online advertisement concerning scholarship opportunities, Adau felt excited about venturing into a field traditionally dominated by men. However, her experiences quickly soured. I wanted to work in fields that are not normally done by women. It is very hard for a woman to come across fields like tower-crane operation, especially within my country, she stated, highlighting her aspirations.
Upon arrival in Russia, Adau’s reality clashed harshly with her expectations. The harsh cold and the eerie atmosphere of Alabuga’s environment painted a grim picture. She explained, When I got there it was very cold, I hated it. [...] I was very impressed. It was everything that I thought it was [going to be]. Yet, these first impressions faded as her work conditions deteriorated.
Despite signing non-disclosure agreements, the women learned only later that they were employed in a factory producing drones for Russia's military efforts. Alabuga has publicly denied the allegations of practicing deception, stating that all fields of work are listed on their website. However, multiple testimonies reveal a different narrative.
Adau, against her will, became part of this production machinery. Describing her emotional turmoil, she candidly shared, It felt terrible. There was a time when I got back to my hostel, and I cried...I felt horrible having a hand in constructing something that is taking so many lives. As pressures mounted, including dangerous working conditions and inadequate pay that fell far short of the promised wages, many women faced the likely prospects of remaining trapped in this exploitative cycle.
The situation escalated when the factory came under attack, confirming the grim realities of their involvement. Adau expressed fear and disillusionment as they found themselves caught in a warzone, realizing too late the true nature of their work. It clicked: all the lies that we have been told since the time of application. I wanted to do more with my life than work in a drone factory.
