Migrant workers at Carrefour sites in Saudi Arabia face severe exploitation, including forced labor, excessive hours, and squalid living conditions. Amnesty International reveals systemic abuse, with workers often fearful of retaliation for voicing concerns. Despite these alarming findings, Carrefour Group and its franchise partner, Majid Al Futtaim, have been slow to take responsibility, prompting calls for reform and accountability in labor practices.
Amnesty International’s latest report reveals that migrant workers at Carrefour sites in Saudi Arabia face severe exploitation by recruitment agents. Many were led to believe they’d find better opportunities but instead suffered under oppressive work conditions, living in appalling accommodations, and fearing retaliation for complaints. Despite the obvious labor violations, neither Carrefour nor its franchise holder, Majid Al Futtaim, have taken sufficient measures to protect these workers or reimburse them for their troubles. Investigating claims from 17 workers from Nepal, India, and Pakistan, Amnesty highlights alarming mistreatment including forced overtime, denial of compensation, and unsafe living environments. Workers routinely clocked in for 60-hour weeks during peak business times without being paid appropriately, leading to substantial wage theft. The abhorrent conditions produced a culture of fear where workers felt silenced, forcing them to endure harsh treatment without the ability to voice their concerns. One worker described the environment by saying, “Inside Carrefour stores, workers are not treated as humans.” They highlighted a brutal hierarchy where managers pushed them to work at an unsustainable pace, further contributing to the feeling of dehumanization. The investigation underscores the critical lack of accountability and oversight as Carrefour continues to run operations amidst known abuses. Despite policies claiming to protect workers, the realities show a glaring gap in enforcement and acknowledgment of these violations. Humanity’s hope for ethical labor practices within these companies is jeopardized by the Kafala sponsorship system, which restricts workers’ rights and leaves them vulnerable. Hence, Amnesty urges international oversight, signaling that the mandate for reform is necessary to mitigate such workplace exploitation. In response to Amnesty’s revelations, Carrefour and Majid Al Futtaim have launched inquiries into these practices and promised to rectify the situation. However, questions linger regarding why they hadn’t acted sooner when evidence of such practices had been readily apparent. Without proactive efforts to address these deep-seated issues, justice for affected workers remains just a distant dream.
The article centers on Amnesty International’s investigation into the exploitation of migrant workers contracted to Carrefour in Saudi Arabia. With a focus on systemic abuses occurring within the Kafala sponsorship framework, the report outlines significant labor violations, including forced labor, extortion through recruitment fees, and unsafe working conditions. The context is heightened as nations, organizations, and unions call for accountability and reform in labor practices within the Kingdom.
The findings from Amnesty International depict a grim picture of migrant workers’ treatment at Carrefour in Saudi Arabia. Despite the companies’ claims of adherence to human rights standards, the realities suggest a backdrop of exploitation and misuse of power. As such, immediate action and reform are needed to protect the workers’ rights and restore their dignity, echoing the urgent need for investigations and appropriate reparations.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org
