Saudi ministry conducts 120,000 inspections to combat human trafficking

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development conducted more than 120,000 proactive inspections during the first quarter of 2026 as part of efforts to combat human trafficking, strengthen worker protection and improve compliance across workplaces.The ministry said it received more than 1,600 reports of suspected human trafficking cases during the period and referred alleged offenders to the relevant authorities for legal action.It also organized specialized training workshops on identifying indicators of human trafficking to enhance employees' ability to detect suspected cases and respond professionally.Marking the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, the ministry reaffirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to combating one of the world's most serious human rights crimes, saying the Kingdom places the protection of human dignity at the center of its legal and rights-based priorities in line with Islamic values.The ministry highlighted the Cabinet's adoption of the National Policy to Eliminate Forced Labor, describing it as the first policy of its kind among Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The policy aims to promote decent working conditions, protect Saudi and non-Saudi workers from abuse, exploitation, deception and discrimination, and strengthen a whole-of-government approach to preventing forced labor.The ministry said the policy complements a range of national legislation, including the Labor Law, the Anti-Human Trafficking Law, the Child Protection Law, the Anti-Begging Law, the Protection from Abuse Law, the Anti-Harassment Law, the Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law, and regulations governing domestic workers.The ministry also highlighted several initiatives designed to reduce the risk of labor exploitation, including the Labor Reform Initiative, the Wage Protection Program, mandatory employment contract documentation, updated domestic worker regulations, tighter oversight of online recruitment advertisements, public awareness campaigns on workers' rights and responsibilities, and expanded reporting channels.It said its ongoing responsibilities include policy development, implementation oversight, capacity building, strengthening monitoring and reporting mechanisms, improving access to victim support services, and coordinating with diplomatic missions and regulatory authorities to enhance compliance and safeguard workers' rights.