Saudi Arabia's foreign labour crackdown drives out 2m migrants

The Guardian ^ | Friday 29 November | Ian Black

[fella]

Ethiopian workers face hostility amid 'Saudisation' campaign to control foreign labour and get more Saudi citizens into work

. . . Saudi Arabia's addiction to cheap foreign labour goes back to the oil boom and religious awakening of the mid-1970s. In recent years it has come to be seen as an enormous problem that distorts the economy and keeps young people out of the labour market. But the government turned a blind eye and little happened until March. And it remains to be seen whether the notorious kafala (sponsorship) system – responsible for many abuses – can be reformed or replaced. Saudis say one of the biggest problems is foreigners who have fled their original kafeel and effectively disappeared.

"We will need two decades to get back to where we were in the 1970s," predicted Turki al-Hamad, a writer who grew up in the eastern city of Dammam, where Saudis used to work in the Aramco oilfields. "We are better off economically than we were then, but much worse off socially."

[fella]

At least the Saudis understand an immigration problem when they have one and they are willing to do what needs to be done.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks fella.

additional:

Saudi Arabia’s foreign labour crackdown drives out 2m migrants
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3096813/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3095787/posts?page=5#5

[2banana]

What happens when Saudi Arabia runs out of oil...?

[Temujinshordes]

It clearly demonstrates that given the will, it can be done. We just do not demonstrate the will to do so.

[PapaBear3625]

What happens when Saudi Arabia runs out of oil...?

That's why they want to get their people back into working for a living.

[NormsRevenge]

Spent a month in Jeddah in the late 80s, wild place, no not really, great sunsets over the red as tho. Great shopping too,, a Hugh Zukh was close by,, a very interesting experience,, lots of security back then, its a royal city, lots of police and troop presence, would I go back? Nnnneh.

I’m glad I did the middle east then,, and the med later.

All the workers were ‘foreign’ and the project managers as well. A lot of Asian and African workers.

[CMB_polarization]

Personally I hope they all return to their goat herding, camels and hamrems.