Saudi Arabia: Medical Workers Stranded Without Pay

In early March 2008, 55 Pakistani, Indian, Sri Lankan, and Bangladeshi workers, including medical professionals and cleaners, complained to the Ministry of Labor that Nukhba required them to work an extra year after their contracts expired, failed to pay their return tickets home, retained up to eight months wages, and withheld approval for exit visas required under Saudi law.  
 
Ministry officials told them they had to wait two weeks for the response of al-Nukhba, a medical service provision company. When the firm failed to reply, the ministry office sent the workers to the Labor Court, a tribunal administered by the Ministry of Labor, but the court only scheduled proceedings for July, four months later, leaving the workers without legal status or pay.  
 
Instead of addressing the companys alleged violations promptly, the Labor Court is effectively punishing these 55 men, prolonging their forced stay in the country and leaving them penniless for months without any end in sight, said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. The court should provide speedy redress and send a message to sponsors that workers are entitled to their wages in a timely fashion.  
 
Saudi Arabias kafala (sponsorship) system fuels exploitation by tying migrant workers employment visas to their employers. Under this system, an employer has inordinate control over a hired foreign worker and must grant explicit permission before the worker can transfer employment or leave the country.  

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