Hundreds of Migrant Workers in Saudi Arabia Unpaid for Months, Says Rights Group

Hundreds of Migrant Workers in Saudi Arabia Unpaid for Months, Says Rights Group
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Hundreds of migrant workers employed by Sendan International in Saudi Arabia, including those working on state oil company Aramco’s project sites, have gone unpaid for up to eight months, Human Rights Watch reported. The workers, from countries such as Bangladesh, India, and Nepal, faced severe hardships including food shortages, lack of basic necessities, and risk of deportation.

Sendan International reportedly ceased operations in December 2024, though many employees continued working until March 2025. At least 850 workers are believed to be affected, with many forced to return home without receiving owed wages. Some sought irregular work or protested publicly, despite the threat of arrest, as protests are banned in Saudi Arabia.

Human Rights Watch criticized Aramco and Saudi authorities for failing to ensure compensation. Although the Ministry of Human Resources confirmed wage violations and said measures were taken, it did not clarify how many claims have been resolved. A wage insurance scheme introduced in 2024 provides limited relief but has strict eligibility criteria and caps compensation at SAR 17,500 (approximately US$4,663), excluding end-of-service benefits.

Labor rights organizations argue that wage theft remains widespread in Saudi Arabia, and victims rarely receive timely or full compensation. Human Rights Watch called on FIFA and other international partners to demand stronger labor protections in light of Saudi Arabia’s preparations for hosting the 2034 World Cup.