I recently had some very disturbing news about the plight of immigrants in Saudi Arabia. If you think life as an immigrant in these United States is hard, then you have not heard what is going on in Saudi.
Many Africans and Asians have left their homes and taken up jobs in Saudi, prepared to work very hard so that they can support the families they have left behind. Like immigrants the world over they are searching for a better life.
Unfortunately for most of them, when they arrive in Saudi they find themselves in situations of near bondage and slavery. They are often held in confinement either within the home where they work as domestics. Or they are shuttled from their places of work to dormitories where they are housed and not allowed to leave the premises apart from a couple of times a month when they are escorted to the stores to buy food.
They are forced to work long hours with little time for rest and given very little to eat. Their wages are withheld while the employer deducts monies at will. And if you are wondering why don't they just leave . . . well, their passports are confiscated by their employers on arrival. With no passport and no money to buy a ticket home they can't just leave. They are also denied access to phones and so have no way to call their families back home to ask for help.
If you know of anyone in such a situation in Saudi, contact your consulate and ask for help. Also contact organizations like Human Rights Watch for assistance. If you know of any other resources that are available to immigrants in Saudi, please leave us a comment or send us an email so that we can spread the word.
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