Top Saudi scholar slams labour agents

Saudi Arabia’s top Islamic scholar has launched a virulent attack on foreign labour recruitment agents in the Gulf Kingdom, accusing them of deception and called for immediate government action against them.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al Shaikh made the unprecedented assault on labour agents in his sermon during Friday’s prayers in the capital Riyadh, just a few days after an Indonesian housemaid was killed by her Saudi employer and another was severely tortured by her employing housewife.

Al Shaikh said those agents, most of whom are involved in import of foreign housemaids, do not respect their obligations, promises and labour contracts, adding that they always make mistakes and try to blame them on others.

“They are totally indulged in deception and lying on nationals and expatriate workers who they bring in to the Kingdom…they do not comply with conditions regarding the specifications and qualifications of workers….they have deceived both the Saudi employers and foreign employees and have made them pay dear prices because of their mistakes and lying,” he said.

He said many of those agents have brought in unqualified labour in violation of the contract’s terms, adding that such practices have severely harmed the expatriate workers, who have come to the Kingdom to earn their livelihood.

“They are manipulating these poor workers and cheating them in their wages…they pay them only a fraction of what they really deserve…there is an urgent need for legislations to regulate the activities of these offices, punish offenders and stop those who manipulate and trade in human labour, deceive the nationals and usurp the rights of the poor workers.”

Al Shaikh said money earned by those agents is “dirty” on the grounds it has been earned through fraud and deception.

“These offices need to redress their activities…they must stop stealing workers and depriving them of their legitimate rights…they should given them all their rights and must not delay their wages at any time…you should fear God in dealing with these poor people,” he said.

In an apparent reference to recent reports about murder and torture of some Indonesian housemaids, Al Shaikh said:”Islam urges us to treat the worker with care and look after their health, food and accommodation…deal with them nicely and do not hurt or insult them…insulting or harming our workers is not Islamic…..give them their wage on time and avoid forcing them to do work that exceeds their capacity…these foreign workers have come to our country from many nations and religions and it is our responsibility to be good to them, treat them fairly and ensure they fully receive their rights.”

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