"The Exploitation of Indian Migrant Workers in Saudi Arabia: Modern-Day Slavery" 4 February 2025

For decades, Indian workers have sought employment in the Gulf region, lured by the promise of higher wages and better opportunities... ...However, for many, this dream quickly turns into a nightmare of abuse, exploitation, and modern-day slavery...

Reports from human rights organisations, journalists, and advocacy groups have highlighted the systemic violations of labour rights that leave thousands of Indian workers vulnerable and trapped in brutal conditions... At the heart of this exploitation is the kafala system, a sponsorship mechanism that ties migrant workers to their employers...

...Under this system, workers cannot change jobs, leave the country, or even challenge workplace abuse without the permission of their employer...Some of the most egregious violations include withholding of wages, where employers frequently delay or deny payments, forcing workers to survive in extreme poverty...Some workers, especially domestic workers, report being subjected to beatings, sexual violence, and harassment...The Indian government has been criticized for its inadequate response to the suffering of its citizens in the Gulf...

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