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This issue is vastly aided and exacerberated by the fact that immediately after unskilled laborers land, the first procedure is their passports are seized, and

This issue is vastly aided and exacerberated by the fact that immediately after unskilled laborers land, the first procedure is their passports are seized, and it's made clear they have to please their employer and work themselves to death to get it back. It changes the entire dynamic straight away: instead of the employer being obliged to keep you, you are now obliged to get back your passport. Yes, there are other factors such as bonded labor, indemnities and local laws taking precedence. But this is such an obvious abuse factor, it makes sense to remove it. Of all the ways to do it, whether it's paid lockers and so on – what the parent comment said is still a cheap way.

ceejayoz 2y ago
> This issue is vastly aided and exacerberated by the fact that immediately after unskilled laborers land, the first procedure is their passports are seized, and it's made clear they have to please their employer and work themselves to death to get it back. It changes the entire dynamic straight away: instead of the employer being obliged to keep you, you are now obliged to get back your passport. Sure, but the local government wants it that way. They won't be the ones to change it!
- falcor84 2y ago
  But we're talking about the password issuer (e.g. India), right? They have an interest in protecting their citizens and limiting the power of other local governments to abuse them
  - blackoil 2y ago
    To exit a country, you need to pass their immigration which may require same physical passport on which person has entered. Also, India/Pakistan wouldn't want to antagonize the Saudis as billions in forex flow via these workers. So, it is the cost of being poor.
  - ceejayoz 2y ago
    No. Saudi Arabia's requirement of a passport to exit the country is what permits this abuse. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SaudiArabia.html https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-tra... > A valid passport is required for U.S. citizens to enter or exit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
    - tartoran 2y ago
      I think Saudis are capable of leashing their servants with chains and such if this passport requirement is ever removed. They want to exploit, I think they get off on it. I think it would be better to legally force all these migrants back into their countries every couple of months just to make sure they're not being kept by force. Fighting abuse costs money, it's expensive, I know but Saudis can afford it.
  - tartoran 2y ago
    The corruption runs deep. There are larger amounts of money these workers never see which land in certain hands and they of course want to keep the machinery going.
Timshel 2y ago
Until 2021 laborer were unable to leave the country without permission from their employers ... And even now if you are working in the middle of the desert can you even go to the airport without your employer help ?

ceejayoz 2y ago

> This issue is vastly aided and exacerberated by the fact that immediately after unskilled laborers land, the first procedure is their passports are seized, and it's made clear they have to please their employer and work themselves to death to get it back. It changes the entire dynamic straight away: instead of the employer being obliged to keep you, you are now obliged to get back your passport. Sure, but the local government wants it that way. They won't be the ones to change it!

falcor84 2y ago
But we're talking about the password issuer (e.g. India), right? They have an interest in protecting their citizens and limiting the power of other local governments to abuse them
- blackoil 2y ago
  To exit a country, you need to pass their immigration which may require same physical passport on which person has entered. Also, India/Pakistan wouldn't want to antagonize the Saudis as billions in forex flow via these workers. So, it is the cost of being poor.
- ceejayoz 2y ago
  No. Saudi Arabia's requirement of a passport to exit the country is what permits this abuse. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SaudiArabia.html https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-tra... > A valid passport is required for U.S. citizens to enter or exit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  - tartoran 2y ago
    I think Saudis are capable of leashing their servants with chains and such if this passport requirement is ever removed. They want to exploit, I think they get off on it. I think it would be better to legally force all these migrants back into their countries every couple of months just to make sure they're not being kept by force. Fighting abuse costs money, it's expensive, I know but Saudis can afford it.
- tartoran 2y ago
  The corruption runs deep. There are larger amounts of money these workers never see which land in certain hands and they of course want to keep the machinery going.

Timshel 2y ago

Until 2021 laborer were unable to leave the country without permission from their employers ... And even now if you are working in the middle of the desert can you even go to the airport without your employer help ?