"Ire against Saudi company NSH, scores of workers say they were sacked during pandemic," 11 Feb 2021

According to complaints received by Lawyers Beyond Borders (LLB), an international non-profit organisation that works for the rights of migrant workers, scores of workers were sacked from the company after the pandemic began. Most of them are aged above 50...

“We were promised when we were fired from our jobs that the money will be credited to our accounts in two months. But none of us have got the money,” Anilkumar alleges...

The company has denied allegations that they terminated people indiscriminately and issued a statement to TNM. “... We put our best effort, consistently requested all authorities at all levels and spent a huge amount of money to arrange chartered flights to ensure that the demand of our employees is met. Many of them are now waiting to come back once the situation becomes normal... there are proper rules and regulations enforced by the Government of the country which no one can deviate from.”

The company also maintains that all salaries and other benefits were paid even during the pandemic as per the laws of Saudi Arabia. “We never utilized even the Government directives of salary deduction during the pandemic, but rather paid full salary even when they were staying in their accommodations,” the company said. However, LBB says that they have enough complaints to establish a pattern.