Riyadh: Marking the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking in Persons today, Saudi Arabia renewed its commitment to eradicating human trafficking, placing the protection of human dignity and rights at the forefront of its national legal priorities.
According to Saudi Press Agency, spearheading these efforts, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) oversees the implementation of the National Policy for the Elimination of Forced Labor. Recently adopted by the Cabinet as the first policy of its kind in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the framework promotes decent working conditions, ensures non-discrimination, and protects both Saudi and expatriate workers from all forms of exploitation, mistreatment, and deception.
The policy integrates seamlessly with Saudi Arabia's robust regulatory framework, which includes the Labor Law and the Anti-Human Trafficking Law. To enforce these protections, MHRSD has launched several flagship initiatives, such as the Wage Protection Program, the Contractual Relationship Improvement Initiative, and strict regulations on domestic worker employment and online recruitment advertising. The ministry has also established direct, accessible communication channels for reporting suspected violations.
Underscoring its rigorous oversight, the ministry conducted over 120,000 proactive screenings during the first quarter of 2026 to enhance compliance across commercial establishments. It also processed more than 1,600 reports of suspected human trafficking, swiftly referring violators to relevant authorities for legal action, while continuously conducting specialized training for its staff to identify early indicators of exploitation.
Through ongoing coordination with diplomatic and oversight bodies, MHRSD actively advances its legislative, regulatory, and awareness mandates. These comprehensive efforts directly align with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which enshrines justice, dignity, and the safeguarding of human rights as fundamental pillars of the nation's development.