Amnesty International has released a report detailing a decade of serious human rights abuses endured by migrant workers involved in the construction of the Riyadh Metro in Saudi Arabia. The report, published on July 24, 2024, highlights a pattern of exploitation, including unpaid wages, unsafe working conditions, and restrictions on freedom of movement. The abuses affected thousands of migrant workers from various countries, including Nepal, who contributed to the massive infrastructure project.
The Amnesty International report focuses on the experiences of workers from several countries who built this extensive metro system. It documents instances of employers confiscating passports, forcing workers to work excessive hours in sweltering heat, and denying them adequate medical care. The report also details how some workers faced intimidation and threats if they attempted to complain about their treatment. Many workers reported being trapped in situations where they were unable to leave their employment due to debt or threats from their employers.
According to the report, workers were often forced to pay exorbitant recruitment fees, trapping them in debt bondage. They were also exposed to dangerous working conditions with inadequate safety measures, leading to serious injuries and even deaths. Amnesty International interviewed dozens of workers, gathering testimonies that paint a grim picture of systemic abuse. One worker reportedly stated, “We were treated like animals.”
Amnesty International is calling on the Saudi Arabian government and the companies involved in the Riyadh Metro project to conduct thorough investigations into the allegations of abuse, hold those responsible accountable, and provide adequate compensation to the affected workers. The organization also urges reforms to the country's labour laws and sponsorship system (Kafala) to prevent future exploitation of migrant workers.
The investigation reveals that many workers were denied their basic rights, including fair wages and safe working environments, as well as being subject to threats and intimidation from their employers. The report highlights the systematic nature of these abuses, suggesting that they were widespread and endemic within the project. The delayed and/or partial payments of worker's salaries were also a key element of the report.
For the Nepali diaspora, this report is particularly significant. A substantial number of Nepali migrant workers are employed in construction and other sectors in Saudi Arabia. The findings underscore the vulnerability of Nepali workers to exploitation and abuse in the context of the Kafala system. Many Nepalis working abroad support their families back home with remittances, and these vulnerabilities also threaten the economic security of their families.
The report serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by Nepali migrants seeking opportunities in the Gulf region. It emphasizes the need for increased advocacy, support networks, and legal assistance for Nepali workers abroad. The Nepali diaspora community should also put pressure on the Nepali government to take stronger actions in protecting its citizens and negotiating fair labour practices with their employers in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere.
