Indian Workers Exploited in Saudi Arabia

There are approximately 2 million Indians who live and work in Saudi Arabia (in all Saudi Arabia has about 6 million foreign workers).  This is a large number considering the total population of the country is only about 28 million.  Saudi Arabia like many other nations in the Persian Gulf and the larger Middle-East are petroleum-based economies.  90% of export earning and 75% of the budget revenues are from the oil industry.

It is no secret that the immigrants from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Philippines and other poorer Asian countries are the people who keep this country running (about two thirds of all jobs in the country are held by foreigners).  An average Saudi Arabian is wealthy and normally lives a life of luxury (compared to the immigrant labor that is sweating it out under very difficult work conditions).

There are many people from my home state of Kerala who work in Saudi Arabia.  An employee always needs a Saudi sponsor.  Normally this sponsor provides accommodations and pays travel expenses.  The sponsor will in most cases have your passport in his/her procession which means that an employee cannot change jobs or leave the country if and when he/she chooses.

Most people who have experience working in the Middle East knows that the salary promised is normally different from what you actually get once the employee lands in the country.  But there are no legal remedies.  In many cases it is very expensive to quit.  If you work as a maid you may be asked to pay more than a year’s salary if you want to quit and take up another job!!

Speaking in Washington the Saudi Arabian Labor Minister Abdulwahed K Al-Humaid told reporters that “We urge India to raise the awareness of its workers before they leave the country for Saudi Arabia, to disseminate information to the workers about what are their obligations and rights”.   I agree that it is important for anyone who is seeking employment abroad to have a clear understanding of their rights.  But this is not the real issue.

Most immigrants who live and work in Saudi Arabia come from countries that are much more open than Saudi Arabia.  The vast majority of them come from democratic nations like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka where people are much more aware of their rights and obligations compared to a conservative and closed society like Saudi Arabia.  But the question is whether the Saudi Arabian government and its citizens understand their obligations regarding respecting basic human rights and the rights of immigrants?

What is happening to immigrants from South Asia in the Middle East is about exploitation of the poor by societies that are themselves exploited by their governments.  The minister added “Whenever I meet Ambassadors from the workers’ home country, I urge them to make their workers aware of their rights before they come to Saudi Arabia”.  Statements like these highlight one of the key stumbling blocks when it comes to resolving these issues.

Most governments that are repressive do not understand basic human rights.  They are quick to point the finger at others and are very reluctant to reform their system and society.  Shouldn’t the Saudi Arabian government be cracking down on exploitation of immigrants who are living and working in Saudi Arabia for Saudi Arabian companies or families? Does the Saudi Arabian government inform its citizens about their rights when they go to work in countries like the United States or Britain?  I do not think so.

Related posts:

1. United States Holding Workers from India to Ransom
2. UAE Tortures Indian Prisoners From Punjab
3. India Should Not Subsidize Haj Pilgrimage
4. ASSOCHAM Targets Indian Employees
5. Content Providers Are the Internet Sweatshop Workers

Tags: Asian, Bangladesh, Foreign, government, Indian, Kerala, Middle-East, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, United States

Category: News & Government