Riyadh: Saudi Arabia continues striving to combat human trafficking, one of the most heinous crimes targeting human dignity. Commemorating the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed annually on July 30 as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, Saudi Arabia renews its commitment to international treaties and emphasizes protecting individuals from all forms of exploitation.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the world day raises global awareness and encourages collective efforts to confront this crime. Saudi Arabia uses this occasion to reinforce its humanitarian and rights-based approach, with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development serving as a key pillar of the national commitment. Leveraging its legislative and executive systems, the ministry plays a central role in prevention, protection, and achieving justice in the workplace.
These efforts culminated in the Cabinet’s approval of the National Policy for the Elimination of Forced Labor, the first of its kind in the Gulf. This policy aims to create a work environment that safeguards rights, grounded in Islamic principles and relevant international agreements. It includes several guiding principles, notably enhancing decent working conditions, adopting a comprehensive government approach and victim-centered responses, and ensuring justice and non-discrimination.
The ministry has adopted various measures to prevent work-related crimes and mitigate their impacts, including the initiative to improve the contractual relationship and the Domestic Workers List and Those in Their Jurisdiction. It has also organized electronic advertisements related to recruitment activities and launched awareness campaigns on rights and responsibilities, while facilitating access to reporting through direct communication lines.
As part of these efforts, the ministry received 124 reports in the first quarter of this year and conducted over 61,500 proactive field inspections to protect workers and enhance compliance among establishments. The ministry also undertakes numerous coordination and executive tasks, including planning, policy development, system implementation monitoring, and capacity building. It enhances monitoring and reporting mechanisms, facilitates access to support services, and convenes meetings with diplomatic and regulatory bodies to affirm rights protection and ensure compliance.
The ministry underscores its commitment to legislative, regulatory, and awareness-raising roles under Vision 2030, which places the individual at the center of development, reinforcing the values of justice, dignity, and rights in all aspects of life. On this world day, the ministry emphasizes that human trafficking is a crime prohibited by Islam and law, and that combating it is a national responsibility that requires constant vigilance, renewed policies, and effective international cooperation.
