Saudi Arabia: Yemeni Workers at Risk of Mass Forced Returns

Since July 2021, Saudi authorities started to terminate or not renew employment contracts of Yemeni professionals, threatening them of forced return to the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Qiwa, a platform run by the Saudi Human Resources Ministry, reportedly issued a statement about new regulations that limit the number of workers from certain nationalities in businesses, notably 25 percent for Yemeni nationals. If the workers do not find another employer to act as a sponsor, they must leave the country or face deportation. Human Rights Watch claimed that Saudi authorities should reverse their decision and allow the Yemini workers to remain in Saudi Arabia with work permits.