Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development Participates in Observing the World Day Against Human Trafficking

The United Nations General Assembly has designated July 30 each year as the World Day Against Human Trafficking, aiming to raise awareness about the suffering of victims and to promote and protect their rights. In line with this, Saudi Arabia has placed significant emphasis on combating human trafficking crimes through collaboration at national, regional, and international levels, and by implementing the National Plan to Combat Human Trafficking Crimes. This plan focuses on four principal areas: prevention, protection and assistance, prosecution, and national and international cooperation.

To mark the World Day Against Human Trafficking in collaboration with the Human Rights Commission under the theme: "We Will Not Abandon Any Child," and as part of its responsibility to protect workers and enhance compliance with Saudi labor market regulations, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has continued its efforts at local, regional, and international levels to combat human trafficking. The Ministry pioneered establishing a department dedicated to combating human trafficking, being the first governmental body in the Kingdom to do so. This department reviews all cases received, oversees them with complete confidentiality, and refers them to the appropriate authorities.

The Ministry has issued the Anti-Human Trafficking Law and joined agreements and protocols aimed at combating these crimes through the Anti-Human Trafficking Committee at the Human Rights Commission, alongside other governmental entities. Additionally, the Ministry has organized training workshops targeting the training of inspectors, call center staff, field inspectors, employers, workers, and shelter operators on combating human trafficking and forced labor, to ensure the protection of workers and the provision of a safe working environment.

The Ministry has enacted various legislations and policies to protect workers and employers from irregular practices and to raise awareness about their contractual rights. It has launched several supporting programs to combat these crimes, including the Initiative to Improve the Contractual Relationship aimed at enhancing the relationship between workers and employers, preserving contractual rights, and increasing the attractiveness and flexibility of the labor market. Other programs include the Contract Documentation Program, the Wage Protection Program, which requires businesses to pay workers' wages without delay, and the amicable dispute resolution program.

In terms of raising awareness about the dangers of human trafficking, the Ministry has organized several campaigns to educate and inform about the consequences of this crime and the rights and obligations of workers in establishments and domestic workers. This has been done in collaboration with chambers of commerce and private sector entities across all regions of the Kingdom. Regarding regulatory operations, the Ministry has continued its oversight efforts and organized numerous preemptive inspections on suspected human trafficking cases in collaboration with relevant authorities as part of the national joint campaign against human trafficking.