One of the wealthiest countries in the Middle East, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is also one of
the largest exporters of oil, and as such, one of the most influential in the region. Despite this, more
than 50 per cent of the work force (nearly 6 million people) in the Saudi Arabia are migrant workers
(FIDH, 2003, 3). They contribute billions of dollars each year to their home countries through
remittances. With such a large population hailing from outside the Kingdom, it would seem that
transnational migrants would have a larger voice in the rights and freedoms they are granted within
the country. This is, however, not the case in Saudi Arabia, where non-Saudis are treated as secondclass
citizens and often face abuse and empty promises from their employers. The situation proves
too dire for many migrant workers who enter the country. Women are particularly vulnerable to
sexual harassment and at risk for human trafficking. It is important to examine the causes of such a
large transnational migration to Saudi Arabia, the risk that migrant workers face, and what policies
have helped, or in many situations hindered, the rights of migrant workers in this Middle Eastern
country
One of the wealthiest countries in the Middle East, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is also one ofthe largest exporters of oil, and as such, one of the most influential in the region. Despite this, morethan 50 per cent of the work force (nearly 6 million people) in the Saudi Arabia are migrant workers(FIDH, 2003, 3). They contribute billions of dollars each year to their home countries throughremittances. With such a large population hailing from outside the Kingdom, it would seem thattransnational migrants would have a larger voice in the rights and freedoms they are granted withinthe country. This is, however, not the case in Saudi Arabia, where non-Saudis are treated as secondclasscitizens and often face abuse and empty promises from their employers. The situation provestoo dire for many migrant workers who enter the country. Women are particularly vulnerable tosexual harassment and at risk for human trafficking. It is important to examine the causes of such alarge transnational migration to Saudi Arabia, the risk that migrant workers face, and what policieshave helped, or in many situations hindered, the rights of migrant workers in this Middle Easterncountry
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..
