News
November 20, 2025
Amnesty reports says Nepali, other migrant workers exploited in Riyadh metro project
The workers’ hardships were compounded by exposure to extreme heat, rights watchdog official says.
**Amnesty Reports Exploitation of Nepali and Other Migrant Workers in Riyadh Metro Project**
A new report from Amnesty International has revealed a disturbing pattern of exploitation against migrant workers, including those from Nepal, employed on the Riyadh Metro project in Saudi Arabia. The human rights organization details a range of abuses, painting a grim picture of the conditions faced by laborers building the ambitious infrastructure project.
The report highlights that many workers endured significant hardships, facing challenges related to their employment terms and overall treatment. While the specific details of these terms remain unspecified, the report strongly suggests a systemic issue within the project's labor practices. This raises serious concerns about the protection afforded to migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, particularly those involved in large-scale construction endeavors.
Adding to the already difficult situation, Amnesty International emphasized the severe impact of extreme heat on the workers' well-being. A rights watchdog official noted that the intense temperatures in Riyadh compounded the laborers' existing struggles, making their work physically demanding and potentially dangerous. The combination of exploitative work conditions and exposure to harsh environmental factors paints a concerning picture of the risks faced by these individuals.
The Riyadh Metro, a multi-billion dollar project aimed at modernizing the city's transportation network, has been touted as a symbol of progress. However, this report casts a shadow over the project, raising questions about the human cost of development. Amnesty International's findings are likely to spark further scrutiny of labor practices within Saudi Arabia and prompt calls for greater protection of migrant workers' rights.
The report’s release is expected to put pressure on both the Saudi government and the companies involved in the Riyadh Metro project to address the alleged abuses and ensure fair treatment for all workers. Further investigations and reforms are needed to guarantee the safety, dignity, and rights of migrant laborers contributing to the Kingdom's infrastructure development. The specific nationalities of the other migrant workers affected, besides Nepali workers, were not disclosed in Amnesty's initial statement.
A new report from Amnesty International has revealed a disturbing pattern of exploitation against migrant workers, including those from Nepal, employed on the Riyadh Metro project in Saudi Arabia. The human rights organization details a range of abuses, painting a grim picture of the conditions faced by laborers building the ambitious infrastructure project.
The report highlights that many workers endured significant hardships, facing challenges related to their employment terms and overall treatment. While the specific details of these terms remain unspecified, the report strongly suggests a systemic issue within the project's labor practices. This raises serious concerns about the protection afforded to migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, particularly those involved in large-scale construction endeavors.
Adding to the already difficult situation, Amnesty International emphasized the severe impact of extreme heat on the workers' well-being. A rights watchdog official noted that the intense temperatures in Riyadh compounded the laborers' existing struggles, making their work physically demanding and potentially dangerous. The combination of exploitative work conditions and exposure to harsh environmental factors paints a concerning picture of the risks faced by these individuals.
The Riyadh Metro, a multi-billion dollar project aimed at modernizing the city's transportation network, has been touted as a symbol of progress. However, this report casts a shadow over the project, raising questions about the human cost of development. Amnesty International's findings are likely to spark further scrutiny of labor practices within Saudi Arabia and prompt calls for greater protection of migrant workers' rights.
The report’s release is expected to put pressure on both the Saudi government and the companies involved in the Riyadh Metro project to address the alleged abuses and ensure fair treatment for all workers. Further investigations and reforms are needed to guarantee the safety, dignity, and rights of migrant laborers contributing to the Kingdom's infrastructure development. The specific nationalities of the other migrant workers affected, besides Nepali workers, were not disclosed in Amnesty's initial statement.
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Politics