BAD DREAMS:
Exploitation and Abuse of Migrant Workers in Saudi Arabia

SUMMARY

METHODOLOGY

KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

I.  MIGRANT COMMUNITIES IN SAUDI ARABIA

II. THE FOREIGN LABOR SPONSORSHIP SYSTEM AND ITS ABUSES

Workers’ Contracts and Wages: False Promises

Job Substitution

“Free Visa” Illusions

III. VULNERABILITY AND EXPLOITATION

Official Documents: Consequences of Illegal Employer Practices

Fear of Arrest and Deportation

No Access to Medical Care

Long Working Hours without Overtime Pay

Unpaid Salaries

Denial of Paid Vacation Leave

Summary Dismissals

IV. WOMEN WORKERS:  FORCED CONFINEMENT, LABOR EXPLOITATION, AND SEXUAL ABUSE

Labor Exploitation and Forced Confinement: Voices of the Victims

Legal Obligations of the Government of Saudi Arabia

Sexual Abuse and Rape

Pregnancy

Escape Attempts and Consequences

V. LABOR GRIEVANCES: THE GOVERNMENT’S PROCESS FOR COMPLAINTS AND REMEDY

Available Remedies

Official Labor Grievance Bodies

Complaints of Migrant Workers

VI.  DEPORTATION OF MIGRANT WORKERS

Deportees with Outstanding Labor Grievances

Current Conditions in Deportation Jails

Legal Responsibility for Conditions in Deportation Jails

VII. MIGRANT WORKERS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: RIGHTS DENIED

The Lack of Transparency

Imprisoned Women Migrants

Torture, Coerced Confessions, and Unfair Trials: Clear Patterns

The Government’s Obligations under Domestic and International Law

VIII. THE DEATH PENALTY AND EXECUTIONS: MIGRANT WORKER VICTIMS

The Government’s Obligations under International Law

Mortal Remains: Whereabouts Unknown

IX. RECOMMENDATIONS

To The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

To the Minister of Labor

To the Minister of Interior

To the Minister of Justice

To the Consultative Council of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

To United Nations Treaty Monitoring Bodies

To the Labor and Justice Ministers of Countries of Origin, including Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka

APPENDIX A: International Labor Organization (ILO) Conventions in Force in Saudi Arabia

APPENDIX B

Letter to the Parliamentary Relations and Devolution Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, from the Clerk of the Committee, 23 September 2003

Letter to the Clerk of the Committee from the Parliamentary Relations And Devolution Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 13 October 2003

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

July 2004   Vol. 16, No. 5(E)