Riyadh – Saudi Arabia has officially launched an investigation into the distressing conditions faced by migrant laborers employed in Amazon warehouses within its borders. The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development issued a statement denouncing all forms of labor abuse and exploitation as unequivocally unacceptable.
This investigation was initiated prior to Amnesty International’s recent revelation that Nepalese Amazon workers in Saudi Arabia were subjected to deplorable living conditions, workplace safety hazards, and wage theft. Amnesty’s report, published earlier this week, drew upon the testimonies of 22 individuals who had toiled in Riyadh and Jeddah warehouses since 2021. The report alleged that recruitment agents and two Saudi labor supply firms had misled workers, leading them to believe they would be directly employed by Amazon.
Upon arrival in Saudi Arabia, these workers confronted squalid, overcrowded accommodations, at times plagued by bed bugs. In addition to this, they were subjected to arduous working conditions characterized by constant surveillance and insufficient rest, occasionally resulting in injuries.
In response, the Saudi authorities asserted that they have taken resolute measures to combat international human trafficking, having ratified the International Labour Organization’s protocol against forced labor. The kingdom has also enacted comprehensive legislation and policies aimed at preventing, investigating, and prosecuting trafficking offenses. It was emphasized in the statement that recruitment agents and private employers are mandated to adhere to stringent and enforceable laws to guarantee the equitable treatment and well-being of all employees.
