Recruitment fraud and forced labour

Note: These letters have only been edited for grammar and clarity. While MR has reviewed documentation provided by Riad, we have not been able to fully verify his claims. Riad Pasha’s wife has informed MR that she has been unable to reach her husband for over a week and is concerned for his safety.

Friday, 2 August 

Dear Representatives of Migrant-Rights.Org,

My name is Riad Pasha, a citizen of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, and I am currently residing in Saudi Arabia. I am writing to seek your urgent assistance regarding my severe exploitation and mistreatment since my arrival in Saudi Arabia.

Since arriving on 26 May, 2024, I have been subjected to deceit and abuse by representatives of East West Human Resources Company RL980 and Prime Air Tourism RL054, including Rubel Miah and Noyon Akthar. They falsely claimed that the money I paid was for mandatory fees, travel, and medical expenses, not for a work visa.

Upon my arrival, I was placed in a supply company under Al Mawarid Manpower Company, Rawda neighbourhood exit 12 Eastern Ring Road, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with a contract for a cleaner’s position facilitated.

The key issues I have faced include:

1. Promised Job:  I was promised a position as a Cleaner with a direct, official company, not through a supply company. This was supposed to be a stable and legitimate job, where I would work within the role described, with appropriate support and conditions.
2. Promised Salary:  On paper, my contract stated a salary of SAR900 , which was supposed to include food and accommodation. However, during the recruitment process, I was led to believe that after covering my personal living costs and expenses, I would be able to send 35,000 to 40,000 Bangladeshi Taka (equivalent to 1,200 to 1,300 SAR) back home to my family each month. To achieve this, my actual wage should have been between 1,800 to 2,000 SAR.
3. Duration of Work:  Since my arrival in Saudi Arabia, I worked for approximately 48 hours a week in labour-intensive production work that was not related to the Cleaner position I was contracted for. This was over the course of a few weeks, but I have not been fairly compensated for this work. Please let me know if you need any further details. I am grateful for your assistance and look forward to any updates you might have.
4. Exploitation and Fraud: I have been deceived and exploited by representatives of Prime Air Tourism RL054 and East West Human Resources Company RL980, including Javed Akhtar,  Rubel Miah, his wife Noyon Akthar, and other accomplices.
5. Coerced Deportation: Al Mawarid Manpower & East West Human Resources RL980 Company are now attempting to forcibly deport me by making me sign an exit visa form, which I have courageously refused.
6. Financial Exploitation: I have not received the reimbursement of my 323,000 taka deposit paid to Prime Air Tourism. I was also unjustly charged excessive fees and have incurred substantial costs for travel and essential sustenance.
7. Human Rights Violations: Gross negligence and violation of human rights by duty officers at Banani Thana Dhaka and the OIC of Jamalgonj Thana Sunamgonj Bangladesh. My wife, Rotna Begum, was denied the right to file a General Diary (GD) when seeking assistance.
8. Have language barrier issues, I have been to various KSA police Stations to lodge and file my complaints and charges against Al Mawrid manpower company & Mohammed Rubel Miah. But no station seems to take the case.

I am in urgent need of assistance in KSA. Please share my details with relevant authorities that can assist me. I have tried several times to lodge a complaint in the police station, but no one takes the case as soon as I mention Al Mawrid Manpower Company.

Thursday, 5 September 2024

Today, in the camp of Al Mawarid Company, officer Salman called me, assaulted me several times, threatened me, and took away my mobile phone. I was detained for five hours. After that, he asked why I had filed a complaint. I told him I was a victim of fraud, so I filed the complaint. I have all the evidence. He then said that I would not be allowed to work and must return to my country. I replied that I would not go back to my country and that I wanted to work.

After that, he brought an Arabic paper and told me to sign it, saying it would allow me to go to work. I refused to sign the paper. Salman then forced me to sign it by holding my hand. After five hours, I was released, but he instructed everyone in the camp to keep me under observation.

Also I need a translator or someone to file the case with the police, I have tried several times to file complaints but get turned away by the police because of the language barrier.

I am appealing to you for justice and demand compensation for all the damages I have suffered.

Thursday, 5 September 2024

I am writing to bring to your attention a serious situation I am currently facing as an employee of Al Mawarid Company in Riyadh. My name is Riyad Pasha, and I have been subjected to abuse and threats by one of the company’s officials.

Today, I was called by an official named Salman multiple times. During the interaction, he physically threatened me, confiscated my mobile phone, and detained me for five hours. When I explained that I had filed a complaint regarding fraudulent practices and that I had evidence to support my claims, he threatened to deport me and prevented me from working. He forced me to sign a document written in Arabic, which I did not fully understand and was coerced into signing against my will.

I was released after five hours, but Salman instructed others in the camp to keep me under strict observation. I am feeling unsafe and fear further retaliation. I want justice and to continue working, as I am the victim of fraud in this situation.

I urgently seek your help in addressing this matter and ensuring my rights are protected. I also request police assistance in ensuring that I am compensated for the mental and physical distress this situation has caused me.

Action taken by MR

1. MR had escalated his case and co-ordinated a complaint to Bureau of Manpower, Employment, and Training in Dhaka. The complaint has been registered, and initial conversations between Pasha’s wife and officials have been held.
2. MR has written to East West Human Resources Company, Prime Air Tourism, and Al Mawarid seeking their comments. This section will be updated if and when a response is received.