South and Southeast Asian migrant workers employed by United Seemac have not been paid for 20 months, according to recent media reports. Over 500 workers are unable to seek alternative employment or leave the country due to the company's refusal to issue sponsorship transfers or exit visas and failure to pay workers and renew their work permits. Workers were offered the option of repatriation, but only if they agree to leave the country without being paid their dues.

Government officials from countries of origin have visited Saudi Arabia and say they are working to solve the issue of unpaid foreign workers – but attention has continued to focus on larger companies like Saudi Binladin and Saudi Oger.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre has gathered media reports in English and Arabic detailing the stories of distressed migrant workers, the lack of attention and response to the plight of workers employed by smaller construction firms, and the dire conditions faced by workers and their families back home. Efforts to seek remedy through the legal system have not yielded any remedy for the workers who are increasingly turning to protests to demand their rights, despite the risk of arrest.

United Seemac workers camp out at the company's head office in the Saudi capital Riyadh. Photo credit: Middle East Eye

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