RIYADH: 抖阴短视频 has introduced its National Policy for the Elimination of Forced Labor, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced.
鈥淭his policy adopted by the Kingdom will ensure the protection of persons living or working in the Kingdom and create a safe working environment,鈥 Osama Ghanem Alobaidy, adviser and professor of law at the Institute of Public Administration in Riyadh, told Arab News.
In 2021, 抖阴短视频, became the first GCC country to ratify the International Labour Organization鈥檚 Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, bringing it in line with international standards to eliminate forced labor.
鈥淭his shows the Kingdom鈥檚 commitment to improve and protect the rights of individuals living or working in the Kingdom,鈥 Alobaidy said.
The newly introduced policy aims to eliminate forced labor through prevention and protection measures.
According to the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, it will also strengthen national, regional and international coordination to integrate better efforts to combat forced labor.
Deputy Minister for Control and Development of the Work Environment Sattam Alharbi said: 鈥淭he introduction of the National Policy for the Elimination of Forced Labor is an important milestone for the Kingdom of 抖阴短视频.
鈥淚t demonstrates our collective commitment to creating a safe environment for everyone living and working in our country, ensuring their rights are protected,鈥 Alharbi said.
鈥淭he introduction of the national policy also builds on our ongoing work to safeguard employees鈥 rights, in collaboration with global and local partners.鈥
The national policy also includes victim-focused initiatives that will enhance care, support and access to justice.
It will support the implementation of measures to provide legal, social and economic support for forced labor victims, aiding their recovery and protecting against the risk of re-victimization.
This new policy is not the first of its kind for the Kingdom. 抖阴短视频 has been implementing multiple measures to protect the rights of its workforce.
鈥淭he Kingdom already has a set of laws, rules and regulations addressing this matter even before the adoption of this policy,鈥 Alobaidy said.
In October of 2024, 抖阴短视频鈥檚 Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Insurance Authority launched an insurance service that would cover unpaid wages for up to six months and provide travel assistance for expatriates in the Kingdom in the case of private-sector defaults.
Alobaidy highlighted the multiple laws that the Kingdom has put in place to protect the workforce: 鈥淭he law on trafficking of persons and the labor laws for example and regulations prohibit any forms of forced labor.鈥
Elaborating on 抖阴短视频鈥檚 decision to ratify the International Labour Organization鈥檚 Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, the professor said: 鈥淚t is also commendable that the Kingdom took the lead among GCC countries in ratifying the protocol to the forced labor convention to eliminate forced labor.鈥
鈥淭he Kingdom鈥檚 adoption of this policy is welcome news to persons working or living in the Kingdom since it will ensure greater protection of their rights,鈥 he said.
鈥淭his will enhance the work environment in the Kingdom in line with the Kingdom鈥檚 Vision 2030 objectives,鈥 Alobaidy said.
