Saudi Arabia vows to act against abuse of domestic workers

Riyadh - Saudi Arabia vowed to end violations of human rights of foreign domestic workers, a labour official said in remarks published Wednesday, a day after a report revealed that thousands endure beatings and other abuses. The Undersecretary at the Saudi Labour Ministry Ahmed al-Zamil was quoted by the Dubai-based Gulf News as saying the kingdom would enforce stringent measures to prevent mistreatment of domestic workers. Employers abusing their maids would face imprisonment, he said. A report by the New York-based Human Rights Watch said Tuesday thousands of domestic workers in Saudi Arabia experienced beatings and starvation and rather than receive justice face instead accusations of theft, adultery and witchcraft. An estimated 1.5 million foreign domestic helpers work in Saudi Arabia, the majority from Asia. As many as half of those come from Indonesia, according to the report. Many domestic workers are denied their wages and some have worked under slavery-like conditions, the report said. The Saudi official dismissed the report, saying it 'lacks credibility, which should be an essential component of such work.'

And Also

Look Back at the Worst Celebrity Breakups

Look Back at the Worst Celebrity Breakups - PopEater
Fake CDC warning and H1N1 fear being used to spread Malware (Update 2) - The Tech Herald
Data East Arcade Classics Coming To Nintendo Wii This January - Cinema Blend
Mysteries of "Jersey Shore," "Morgan Freeman Hand," and "Tiger Woods Text Messages" Solved - PopEater
A&E series 'Hoarders' and 'Intervention' premiere Monday, Nov. 30th, preview

Your Talkback on this Story

Latest Headlines in Middle East

Older Talkback

page: 1

the humanJul 10th, 2008 - 05:32:14

i think it was long time that's happening about worker abuse especially for maid/female.What kind of rules there??...pls HRW continue for justice.

Report this comment

page: 1

Middle East

Middle East News

Saudi Arabia vows to act against abuse of domestic workers

And Also

Your Talkback on this Story

Latest Headlines in Middle East

Older Talkback

From Sites we Like

In Monsters and Critics

Corporate

The Fine Print