Saudi Gazette report

JEDDAH — Saudi Arabia’s efforts to ensure the health and safety of expatriate workers during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic have drawn praise from the United Nations.

The UN Migration Agency (IOM) on Tuesday lauded the Kingdom for its impartial handling of the coronavirus crisis as it treated citizens and residents equally while providing health care.

In a series of tweet, Carmela Godeau, the IOM Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said that IOM congratulated Saudi Arabia for the efforts to ensure that foreign workers do not endure more risks during COVID19 crisis as it ensured equity in free access to COVID-19 related health care for all regardless of migratory status.

The Kingdom safeguarded foreign workers’ well-being and public health through the decongestion of detention centers.

She said that Saudi Arabia made no distinction in data between nationals and foreigners.

The Kingdom also raised awareness through the wide distribution of coronavirus precautionary and preventive messages in 12 languages.

The IMO’s congratulatory remarks come a day after it inked an agreement with the Saudi Human Rights Commission to prevent human trafficking in the Kingdom.

The agreement calls for enhancing mechanisms and strengthening institutional capacity to identify, assist, and protect victims.