Saudi Arabia Tackles Forced Labor with New Policy

THE AFRICA TIMES | SAUDI ARABIA — RIYADH – Saudi Arabia has implemented its National Policy for the Elimination of Forced Labor. The initiative seeks to protect workers and foster safer working conditions throughout the Kingdom. New Policy to Combat Forced Labor The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced the policy. It delineates measures to prevent forced labor and offer protection to victims. Moreover, the policy enhances coordination at various levels to combat this issue more effectively. Expert Perspective on the Policy Osama Ghanem Alobaidy is a legal expert at the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh. He explained that the policy aims to safeguard all workers in the Kingdom. In 2021, Saudi Arabia ratified the ILO’s Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention. It became the first GCC nation to adopt this standard. “This policy shows Saudi Arabia’s commitment to improving the rights and protections of workers within the Kingdom,” Alobaidy said. “It builds on existing measures to address forced labor, ensuring greater safeguards for all individuals in the country.” Government Initiatives and Worker Protection Sattam Alharbi is the Deputy Minister for Control and Development of the Work Environment. He stated that this policy marks a key step in protecting workers’ rights. Furthermore, the implementation improves the overall work environment within Saudi Arabia. Support for Victims of Forced Labor The policy includes initiatives to aid victims of forced labor. It provides legal, social, and economic aid. This assistance helps victims recover, reintegrate, and prevent future victimization. Existing Laws and Future Vision Saudi Arabia has previously enacted laws to protect its workforce. These include laws against human trafficking and labor regulations. The Kingdom introduced an insurance service to protect expatriate wages recently. This service also provides travel assistance when employers default. Alobaidy praised Saudi Arabia for leading GCC nations in ratifying the ILO protocol. This enhances efforts to abolish forced labor in line with Vision 2030.