Almutairi, A M S (2017) Protecting the rights of temporary foreign 'low-skilled' workers in the Saudi construction industry: a case for legal reform. PhD thesis, Brunel University, UK.
Abstract
This thesis is a socio-legal study of the employment conditions of temporary foreign workers (TFWs) in the Saudi Arabian labour market in general and the construction sector in particular, with emphasis on low-skilled TFWs. This thesis adopts a socio-legal approach to the human rights situation of low-skilled TFWs working in the Saudi construction sector. By using migration theories, a human rights-based approach and Islamic perspectives on labour rights, the study questions the efficacy of Saudi domestic law in providing protection to low-skilled foreign workers in the construction sector. This is done by examining the current labour admission policies and the structure of the regulatory framework, including the ‘kafala' system, recruitment procedures, employment law, working conditions, occupational safety and health hazards and access to the justice system. Grounded theory methodology is followed, with empirical data collection using semi-structured interviewing techniques in two major Saudi cities, Riyadh and Makkah. The data collected from the fieldwork provides the basis for understanding the current situation of low-skilled TFWs, by listening to their experiences. The thesis finds a link between the legal status of temporary foreign workers and the work visa system, which leads to a continuation of exploitation, mistreatment, discrimination, forced labour and the servitude of foreign labour in Saudi Arabia
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | grounded theory; human rights; interview; labour rights; temporary worker; iqama; Saudi Arabia; work visa |
| Index terms: | recruitment, construction industry, work visa, working conditions, foreign worker, occupational safety and health, labour market, exploitation, employment, migration, grounded theory, Saudi Arabia, Iqama, discrimination, construction sector, foreign labour, human rights, methodology, labour right, justice, temporary worker, interview |
| Subjects: | legal systems, criminal law, professional ethics, demography, Geography, theoretical framing, research methods, data collection methods, business, industry analysis, occupational health and safety management, employment law, management, economics |
| Topics: | Supply Chain Management, Legal Issues, Geographical Context, Health and Safety, Human Resources, International Construction, Urban Studies, Research Practice, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here