RIYADH: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s (KSA) Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said on Wednesday that the Kingdom would soon adopt a policy to end forced labor, Arab media reported.
The ministry said that they shared the details of the new policy on the sidelines of the 111th International Labor Conference in Geneva. Vice Minister for Labor Dr. Abdullah Abuthnain opened the forum, highlighting Riyadh’s initiatives and proactive steps to address the issue.
KSA Reinforces Commitment to End Forced Labor
Arab News reported that the new national policy on fighting forced labor would be the first of its kind in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region and will develop extensive measures to be executed in the Kingdom over the next 3-year.
Devised in consultation with global partners, the new policy will bring into force new requirements, including monitoring of labor conditions and punishment of abuses. The new policy will integrate all sectors to remove forced labor and create a very effective coordination procedure.
According to Sattam Al-Harbi, Deputy Minister for Work Environment said that the menace of forced labor was an international issue that demands an international solution. The issue of forced labor could be tackled only via global collaboration, he maintained.
“International Organization for Migration (IOM) welcomes Riyadh’s current efforts and valued resolve to fighting forced labor to ensure the safety of foreign workers.
Mohamed El Zarkani, IOM head of mission in Bahrain termed the new policy on battling forced labor as crucial and said it stands as a milestone for Riyadh and the (Middle East and North Africa) region as a whole.
El Zarkani said that they would continue working with their valued and strategic partners in the Kingdom and the GCC to provide technical support to combat the issue in all its forms.
