The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced the introduction of a National Policy for the Elimination of Forced Labor.
As Saudi Arabia’s profile has grown as a host and convener of major global events such as the 2030 World Expo and the 2034 FIFA World Cup, criticism of its labor policies has ramped up. On June 5, 2024 the the 12 million-member Building and Wood Workers’ International Union (BWI) filed a complaint under article 24 of the International Labour Organization (ILO) constitution claiming exploitive living and working conditions among Saudi Arabia’s migrant workforce. The Kingdom’s 2022 census showed that 13.4 million non-Saudis, or 41.6% of the total population, are in Saudi Arabia.
Trade unions, including BWI, also filed a forced labor complaint against Qatar in 2014 following it’s winning bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
In 2021 Saudi Arabia was the first member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to ratify the UN International Labour Organization’s (ILO) 2014 Protocol to the Forced Labor Convention which provides a stronger legal framework for the elimination of forced labor, emphasizing the need for a multi-faceted approach that addresses the root causes of this human rights violation.
Saudi Arabia now becomes the first Arab country to introduce a comprehensive national policy on forced labor.
According to a Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development release, “The National Policy adopts a broad approach, including striving to eliminate forced labor through prevention and protection measures and providing enhanced protection for victims. It will also strengthen national, regional, and international coordination to better integrate efforts to combat forced labor.”
The policy includes victim-focused initiatives intended to implement measures to provide legal, social, and economic support for forced labor victims, aid their recovery and protect against the risk of re-victimization.
Deputy Minister for Control and Development of the Work Environment Sattam Alharbi stated:
“The introduction of the National Policy for the Elimination of Forced Labor is an important milestone for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It demonstrates our collective commitment to creating a safe environment for everyone living and working in our country, ensuring their rights are protected. The introduction of the National Policy also builds on our ongoing work to safeguard employees’ rights, in collaboration with global and local partners.”
In the case of Qatar and the run-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup new laws were passed to protect workers and labor administration was enhanced. Critics have pointed out that these reforms are not always enforced properly today.
