Migrant Rights - Advancing the rights of migrant workers throughout the Middle East

Posts By Vani Saraswathi

RSS

The writer is the Editor-at-Large and Director of Projects at Migrant-Rights.org.

Image relating to Hostile Qatar judicial system forces Judith to give up her fight and return home

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Domestic Workers

Hostile Qatar judicial system forces Judith to give up her fight and return home

Image relating to Ill-prepared and uninformed, Ghanaian women risk it all for jobs in the Gulf

Stories of Origin

Ill-prepared and uninformed, Ghanaian women risk it all for jobs in the Gulf

Image relating to Everyone is involved but no one is responsible

Stories of Origin

Everyone is involved but no one is responsible

Image relating to In Ghana, the ban that isn’t feeds corruption and desperation

Stories of Origin

In Ghana, the ban that isn’t feeds corruption and desperation

Image relating to Hundreds of World Cup workers stage protest, remain unpaid and destitute

World Cup

Hundreds of World Cup workers stage protest, remain unpaid and destitute

Image relating to Workers in Qatar remain voiceless and invisible, despite reforms and international furore

Op Ed

Workers in Qatar remain voiceless and invisible, despite reforms and international furore

Image relating to Rejection of job change requests on the rise in Qatar

Sponsorship

Rejection of job change requests on the rise in Qatar

Image relating to “If my husband touches you I will kill you”

Detention & Deportation

“If my husband touches you I will kill you”

Image relating to While private sector profits soar, migrants in Bahrain struggle with low wages and rising living costs

Business & Human Rights

While private sector profits soar, migrants in Bahrain struggle with low wages and rising living costs

Image relating to Huge recruitment fees charged for jobs in the Gulf; Qatar recruiters accused of demanding the highest commissions

Business & Human Rights

Huge recruitment fees charged for jobs in the Gulf; Qatar recruiters accused of demanding the highest commissions

Image relating to Rideshare platforms in Qatar: Big business, poor ethics

Sponsorship

Rideshare platforms in Qatar: Big business, poor ethics

Image relating to The Kafala is alive and kicking… migrants where it hurts most

Editorial

The Kafala is alive and kicking… migrants where it hurts most

Image relating to Huroob, Runaway, Absconding: Trapping migrants in extreme abuse

Detention & Deportation

Huroob, Runaway, Absconding: Trapping migrants in extreme abuse

Image relating to Breaking the wall of resistance: Why mere reforms are not enough

Editorial

Breaking the wall of resistance: Why mere reforms are not enough

Image relating to Domestic Workers: Bearing the Brunt of Invisibility, Isolation and Inequality

Covid-19

Domestic Workers: Bearing the Brunt of Invisibility, Isolation and Inequality

Image relating to Structured to Perfection: Racism in the Gulf

Covid-19

Structured to Perfection: Racism in the Gulf

Image relating to In Troubled Waters: The Fishing Sector in the GCC

Agricultural Workers

In Troubled Waters: The Fishing Sector in the GCC

Image relating to Challenging the monopoly of live-in domestic work

Domestic Workers

Challenging the monopoly of live-in domestic work

Image relating to What’s changed in Qatar since the ILO dropped its case?

Documentation

What’s changed in Qatar since the ILO dropped its case?

Image relating to Too much work, not enough pay: Migrant workers in Qatar open up about life in the hospitality industry

Hospitality Sector

Too much work, not enough pay: Migrant workers in Qatar open up about life in the hospitality industry

Image relating to One of Oman’s richest construction companies leaves its workers in dire straits

Construction Sector

One of Oman’s richest construction companies leaves its workers in dire straits

Image relating to Paradox of empowerment: The high costs of economic freedom

Editorial

Paradox of empowerment: The high costs of economic freedom

Image relating to Working in Shisha Bars: Slow Deaths?

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GCC

Working in Shisha Bars: Slow Deaths?

Image relating to Op-Ed: Being poor in the richest country in the world

GCC

Op-Ed: Being poor in the richest country in the world

Image relating to Qatar abolishes exit permit for most migrants

Qatar

Qatar abolishes exit permit for most migrants

Image relating to One year since launch: Has Bahrain’s Flexi-Permit lived up to its hype?

Bahrain

One year since launch: Has Bahrain’s Flexi-Permit lived up to its hype?

Image relating to Sandigan Kuwait: From Survivors to Defenders

Domestic Workers

Sandigan Kuwait: From Survivors to Defenders

Image relating to 450 workers stranded in Bahrain as construction companies default on wages

Business & Human Rights

450 workers stranded in Bahrain as construction companies default on wages

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] Building Trust: Two steps forward, one step back

Stories of Origin

[Stories of Origin] Building Trust: Two steps forward, one step back

Image relating to UAE overhauls domestic workers recruitment

Domestic Workers

UAE overhauls domestic workers recruitment

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] Of bogeymen and willing preys

Stories of Origin

[Stories of Origin] Of bogeymen and willing preys

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] Migration in the times of distrust

Stories of Origin

[Stories of Origin] Migration in the times of distrust

Image relating to 1200 workers from a single Qatari company stranded

Business & Human Rights

1200 workers from a single Qatari company stranded

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] Marketing the ‘World Class Filipino Worker’

Stories of Origin

[Stories of Origin] Marketing the ‘World Class Filipino Worker’

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] Run sister, run!

Stories of Origin

[Stories of Origin] Run sister, run!

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] To leave, to stay, to adjust… come what may

Stories of Origin

[Stories of Origin] To leave, to stay, to adjust… come what may

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] Out of the Philippines: It takes a village, and then some

Stories of Origin

[Stories of Origin] Out of the Philippines: It takes a village, and then some

Image relating to Kuwait Extends Amnesty for Illegal Residents: Way Out or Impasse?

Detention & Deportation

Kuwait Extends Amnesty for Illegal Residents: Way Out or Impasse?

Image relating to Philippines takes extreme measures, as Kuwait continues to mismanage workers’ rights

Domestic Workers

Philippines takes extreme measures, as Kuwait continues to mismanage workers’ rights

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] Failed migrations and the community approach

Stories of Origin

[Stories of Origin] Failed migrations and the community approach

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] Battling ‘evil’ stereotypes, pregnancies, and abuse in the Gulf

Detention & Deportation

[Stories of Origin] Battling ‘evil’ stereotypes, pregnancies, and abuse in the Gulf

Image relating to Indian torture victim awaits justice in Kuwait

Domestic Workers

Indian torture victim awaits justice in Kuwait

Image relating to Kuwaiti doctor who blinded her maid now embroiled in another torture case

Domestic Workers

Kuwaiti doctor who blinded her maid now embroiled in another torture case

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] “I want to escape”

Domestic Workers

[Stories of Origin] “I want to escape”

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] The ban is a blessing… For the traffickers in Ethiopia

Detention & Deportation

[Stories of Origin] The ban is a blessing… For the traffickers in Ethiopia

Image relating to [Op Ed] Gulf states use migrant rights as political football

GCC

[Op Ed] Gulf states use migrant rights as political football

Image relating to Technical Cooperation between ILO and Qatar on Workers rights

Workers

Technical Cooperation between ILO and Qatar on Workers rights

Image relating to Construction Workers in GCC: Debt, death and broken dreams

Business & Human Rights

Construction Workers in GCC: Debt, death and broken dreams

Image relating to Slow start to Bahrain’s flexible work permit system

Bahrain

Slow start to Bahrain’s flexible work permit system

Image relating to Qatar’s Domestic Worker Law: A step in the right direction, but weakened by exclusions

Domestic Workers

Qatar’s Domestic Worker Law: A step in the right direction, but weakened by exclusions

Image relating to Qatari companies send workers on unpaid extended leave as Gulf crisis continues

Business & Human Rights

Qatari companies send workers on unpaid extended leave as Gulf crisis continues

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] In the land of friends and uncles, everyone is an agent

Domestic Workers

[Stories of Origin] In the land of friends and uncles, everyone is an agent

Image relating to Cleaning services company: Unequal playing field for migrant women

Business & Human Rights

Cleaning services company: Unequal playing field for migrant women

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] In Uganda, everyone wants to… what? … go abroad

Domestic Workers

[Stories of Origin] In Uganda, everyone wants to… what? … go abroad

Image relating to Employers in Qatar: Hoodwinking the wage protection system

Qatar

Employers in Qatar: Hoodwinking the wage protection system

Image relating to Op-Ed: Qatar should not fail its workers, even as it faces serious challenges of its own

Editorial

Op-Ed: Qatar should not fail its workers, even as it faces serious challenges of its own

Image relating to To change jobs in Qatar, you still need a ‘No Objection’ letter

Sponsorship

To change jobs in Qatar, you still need a ‘No Objection’ letter

Image relating to Qatar’s domestic worker law is sketchy on the details

Domestic Workers

Qatar’s domestic worker law is sketchy on the details

Image relating to Bahrain to Introduce Self-Sponsorship System in April

Bahrain

Bahrain to Introduce Self-Sponsorship System in April

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] Dreams… perpetually in progress

Domestic Workers

[Stories of Origin] Dreams… perpetually in progress

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] In Sri Lanka, men are free, women have a price tag

Domestic Workers

[Stories of Origin] In Sri Lanka, men are free, women have a price tag

Image relating to Oman announces a new wage database…to make sure workers aren’t earning too much

GCC

Oman announces a new wage database…to make sure workers aren’t earning too much

Image relating to Qatar proves its critics right once again

GCC

Qatar proves its critics right once again

Image relating to “Will wait and see…”: Refrain of expats to Qatar’s Kafala ‘reforms’

Sponsorship

“Will wait and see…”: Refrain of expats to Qatar’s Kafala ‘reforms’

Image relating to Flight from Dhaka: An escape that isn’t

GCC

Flight from Dhaka: An escape that isn’t

Image relating to Qatar’s Kafala reforms: A ready reckoner

Sponsorship

Qatar’s Kafala reforms: A ready reckoner

Image relating to Worker on Qatar Rail project leaves country after months of distress

Business & Human Rights

Worker on Qatar Rail project leaves country after months of distress

Image relating to Undocumented workers buy time to avail amnesty in Qatar

GCC

Undocumented workers buy time to avail amnesty in Qatar

Image relating to Flexible work permit for undocumented workers: Bahrain

Sponsorship

Flexible work permit for undocumented workers: Bahrain

Image relating to India places curbs on recruitment of female migrants

Recruitment Agencies

India places curbs on recruitment of female migrants

Image relating to USD10 billion-worth unauthorized recruitment transactions in 10 years – ILO White Paper

Recruitment Agencies

USD10 billion-worth unauthorized recruitment transactions in 10 years – ILO White Paper

Image relating to [STORIES OF ORIGIN] Stripped of Humanity: A Migrant’s Tale

Watch Read more

GCC

[STORIES OF ORIGIN] Stripped of Humanity: A Migrant’s Tale

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] Same story, different countries

Watch Read more

GCC

[Stories of Origin] Same story, different countries

Image relating to Qatar’s amnesty for undocumented migrants leaves workers and embassies in the dark

Detention & Deportation

Qatar’s amnesty for undocumented migrants leaves workers and embassies in the dark

Image relating to UAE companies can’t afford AC bus or to pay workers

Unfiled

UAE companies can’t afford AC bus or to pay workers

Image relating to Saudi lifts ban on Bangladeshi workers, while ignoring plight of thousands of stranded workers

Unfiled

Saudi lifts ban on Bangladeshi workers, while ignoring plight of thousands of stranded workers

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] High skills, low value: Indifferent Governments on both ends of migration

Fishermen

[Stories of Origin] High skills, low value: Indifferent Governments on both ends of migration

Image relating to “Going back empty handed is beyond our imagination”: Stranded Indian workers’ cry for help

Business & Human Rights

“Going back empty handed is beyond our imagination”: Stranded Indian workers’ cry for help

Image relating to Recent laws in Saudi reinforce migrant workers’ vulnerability

GCC

Recent laws in Saudi reinforce migrant workers’ vulnerability

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] Life after arrests

Fishermen

[Stories of Origin] Life after arrests

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] Indian fishermen: Between the devil and the deep sea

Fishermen

[Stories of Origin] Indian fishermen: Between the devil and the deep sea

Image relating to Business & Human Rights: Companies can use their Leverage to Protect Migrant Domestic Workers

Business & Human Rights

Business & Human Rights: Companies can use their Leverage to Protect Migrant Domestic Workers

Image relating to Dehumanising with its silence: Qatar can’t wish away migrant worker deaths

GCC

Dehumanising with its silence: Qatar can’t wish away migrant worker deaths

Image relating to Domestic Workers most overworked during Ramadan. What can you do?

Domestic Workers

Domestic Workers most overworked during Ramadan. What can you do?

Image relating to 8 things Indian Premier Modi should keep in mind while visiting Qatar

Qatar

8 things Indian Premier Modi should keep in mind while visiting Qatar

Image relating to The GCC debt trap, brought to you by falling oil prices and the kafala system

Detention & Deportation

The GCC debt trap, brought to you by falling oil prices and the kafala system

Image relating to Recruiting ‘maids’ on social media takes on monopoly of agencies in the Gulf; workers more vulnerable to exploitation

Domestic Workers

Recruiting ‘maids’ on social media takes on monopoly of agencies in the Gulf; workers more vulnerable to exploitation

Image relating to Your Guide To Employing A Domestic Worker in the GCC

Domestic Workers

Your Guide To Employing A Domestic Worker in the GCC

Image relating to Not just Kafala: Qatar’s band-aid treatment for a deep wound does not recognise 6 main systemic failures

Detention & Deportation

Not just Kafala: Qatar’s band-aid treatment for a deep wound does not recognise 6 main systemic failures

Image relating to UN misses opportunity to pressure Qatar for reform

Documentation

UN misses opportunity to pressure Qatar for reform

Image relating to Migrant workers awaiting justice find themselves homeless in Qatar

GCC

Migrant workers awaiting justice find themselves homeless in Qatar

Image relating to Indians gone missing; Decades of stories from the GCC

GCC

Indians gone missing; Decades of stories from the GCC

Image relating to Qatar: Renaming Kafala is not Ending Kafala

GCC

Qatar: Renaming Kafala is not Ending Kafala

Image relating to Isolation renders housemaids more vulnerable to abuse

Domestic Workers

Isolation renders housemaids more vulnerable to abuse

Image relating to Qatar: No country for migrant men

Documentation

Qatar: No country for migrant men

Image relating to It’s not the deaths, but the exploited lives of migrant workers that Zaha Hadid should be quizzed on

GCC

It’s not the deaths, but the exploited lives of migrant workers that Zaha Hadid should be quizzed on

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] Recruited under duress, untrained and unprepared for migration

Domestic Workers

[Stories of Origin] Recruited under duress, untrained and unprepared for migration

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] Commodification of women in rural Indonesia

Domestic Workers

[Stories of Origin] Commodification of women in rural Indonesia

Image relating to Qatar’s Shura Council resists reforms. A timeline of recommendations and unfulfilled promises.

Documentation

Qatar’s Shura Council resists reforms. A timeline of recommendations and unfulfilled promises.

Image relating to Kafala as a business; kafeel as a career

Documentation

Kafala as a business; kafeel as a career

Image relating to Careless media reporting on Qatar leaves migrant workers more vulnerable

GCC

Careless media reporting on Qatar leaves migrant workers more vulnerable

Image relating to Qatar ‘labor camp’ fire exposes more frailties of kafala and the labor law

GCC

Qatar ‘labor camp’ fire exposes more frailties of kafala and the labor law

Image relating to [Stories Of Origin] Recruitment or human trafficking?

GCC

[Stories Of Origin] Recruitment or human trafficking?

Image relating to Lebanon’s migrant domestic workers union is a slim hope for more rights

Lebanon

Lebanon’s migrant domestic workers union is a slim hope for more rights

Image relating to [Stories of Origin] Returnees’ Dreams. Some Interrupted.

GCC

[Stories of Origin] Returnees’ Dreams. Some Interrupted.

Image relating to [STORIES OF ORIGIN] Better lives. Betting on migration

GCC

[STORIES OF ORIGIN] Better lives. Betting on migration

Image relating to Are you a human trafficker?

GCC

Are you a human trafficker?

Image relating to Will plight of Indian migrant workers receive more attention with their right to vote?

GCC

Will plight of Indian migrant workers receive more attention with their right to vote?

Image relating to Goat Days. Trafficked and enslaved. One story from many

GCC

Goat Days. Trafficked and enslaved. One story from many

Image relating to Migrant fishermen hit by a double whammy. Regional politics and stifling kafala system

GCC

Migrant fishermen hit by a double whammy. Regional politics and stifling kafala system

Image relating to Through cricket, Lebanon’s migrant workers try to traverse a sticky wicket

Lebanon

Through cricket, Lebanon’s migrant workers try to traverse a sticky wicket

Image relating to Qatar Govt dragging its feet on fundamental reforms: Amnesty

GCC

Qatar Govt dragging its feet on fundamental reforms: Amnesty

Image relating to Homeless in Qatar

GCC

Homeless in Qatar

Image relating to Trapped Nepali worker leaves Qatar after 13 years; Systemic issues still cause for concern

Documentation

Trapped Nepali worker leaves Qatar after 13 years; Systemic issues still cause for concern

Image relating to TRAPPED IN QATAR: A thirteen year sentence for rear-ending a car?

Qatar

TRAPPED IN QATAR: A thirteen year sentence for rear-ending a car?

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