Saudi urged to drop migrant worker crackdown

MANILA, Philippines - An international migrant rights group on Thursday called on the Saudi Arabian government to immediately stop the crackdown of migrant workers in the country as part of its full implementation of the nitaqat, or Saudization or localization of labor.

The Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants also urged the Saudi government to address why migrant workers become undocumented instead of resorting to a crackdown.

APMM cited that under the Kalafa system, which Saudi government implements, migrant workers are beholden to their employers who have the last word on the workers’ employment in particular and life in the country in general.

Whether getting released or opting for a new employer, the migrant worker can only rely on the employer’s final say.

APMM said the Saudi government should review its policies and laws concerning migrant workers and ensure that they have greater liberties and that their rights as workers are protected and upheld.

It also needs to uphold the United Nations Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families as a positive step towards recognition of the rights and welfare of migrant workers, the APMM said.

Earlier reports said that mass arrests and detention of undocumented migrants in major Saudi cities have been documented,including in  Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar and Dammam. - Dennis Carcamo