Al-Madina Recent reports indicate that the Ministry of Labor received 4,750 dispute cases involving more than 56,000 workers and settled 3,607 cases benefiting 47,000 workers with the support of labor committees in different parts of the country. It seems that these workers have lodged complaints against their companies in groups with the number of cases reaching less than 10 percent of the affected workers. The graphics that was published along with the report showed that the highest number of labor disputes was reported in the Eastern Province, exceeding 15,000, followed by Makkah region. Surprisingly, the Madinah region reported 10,000 cases despite its small size compared to Riyadh and Makkah. The strangest thing is that all these cases have occurred in the vicinity of the Prophet's Mosque where the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) still reverberate. The Prophet (pbuh) had taught his followers the meaning of benevolence and goodness in addition to the values of justice and respect for people. He had stressed the importance of giving workers their wage soon after completing the work and before the drying of their sweat. We should know that most of these wages are a few hundreds of riyals, which our sons and daughters waste on mobile phones and other silly things. The report indicates that we have not made any substantial improvement in dealing with foreign workers decently. Let us ask ourselves: have we progressed or gone down in protecting the rights of workers? The figures show that there is something wrong. Most of the labor disputes are related to companies and individuals delaying payment of salaries to their workers. On the other hand, the condition of household workers is not better than company employees. In my reading it's worse. Many of them are subject to violence, verbal abuse and physical torture. After doing all these things we complain about manpower exporting countries putting strict and tough conditions and expressing concern over their citizens who work as maid servants. If a society fails to rise up in thought, behavior, faith and morals, it has to pay a heavy price. Such a situation may be created by the work of a small group but will tarnish the image of the whole country and its people. This is really painful and efforts must be made to change this situation inspired by the teachings of the Prophet (pbuh).
