Saudi Arabia becomes first Arab country to launch National Policy on forced labour and worker rights
New efforts to address forced labour through a National Policy were announced by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The policy aims to improve workplace safety and create fairer working conditions to align with international human rights standards.
According to our Global Slavery Index, 740,000 people are living in modern slavery in Saudi Arabia, the highest prevalence among 11 countries in the Arab States region.
In our 2021 study examining forced labour experiences reported by migrant workers who had returned to their home country from the Arab States, 15 per cent of people surveyed who had worked in Saudi Arabia experienced forced labour.
Saudi Arabia’s progress towards global forced labour standards
Saudi Arabia was the first country in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to sign the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) 2014 Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention.
The National Policy takes a broad approach to fighting forced labour. It focuses on preventing forced labour, protecting victims, and providing support.
This also emphasises the need for better coordination at national, regional, and international levels to strengthen efforts against forced labour.
Key initiatives in Saudi Arabia’s national framework to address forced labour
The National Policy also includes initiatives focused on victims. These will improve care, support, and access to justice.
The policy will help put in place measures to provide legal, social, and economic support for forced labour victims. This will aid their recovery and reduce the risks of being re-victimised.
As part of the broader effort, Saudi Arabia will continue working with international bodies, including the ILO, to improve the work environment.
This aligns with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.
Exploitation of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia and the NEOM project
Saudi Arabia’s historically ill-treatment of migrant workers was recently highlighted in the Kingdom Uncovered: Inside Saudi Arabia documentary.
An estimated 21,000 migrant workers have died since construction began on NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s flagship megacity, as part of the Vision 2030 initiative.
This equals more than 8 deaths a day over the past 8 years, with thousands of workers reported missing.
In addition to fatalities, migrant workers face dire working conditions, wage theft, and gruelling hours that exceed international labour standards.
