Prevalence of modern slavery in Arab states 2021, by country

The Middle East is one of the most vulnerable regions to modern slavery. Among the Middle Eastern states, the three countries with the largest share of at least 20 people for every 1,000 individuals living in modern slavery were from Saudi Arabia in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).At the same time, Oman had the lowest levels of slavery among GCC countries, respectively. Jordan, on the other hand, had the highest share of individuals living in slavery among non-GCC countries.

Modern-day slavery

There are many forms of forced labor worldwide, with victims numbering in the millions. Organizations such as the International Labour Organization have been at the forefront of addressing the challenges of slavery in the 21st century. The response from governments towards modern slavery has been varied, with some states taking stronger action than others. Countries such as those in the GCC, which are dependent on a large immigrant workforce, are often more susceptible to worker exploitation. 

Global scrutiny on working conditions in the GCC

Although contemporary slavery has been a major issue affecting many Arab and Gulf nations, the response of Arab states towards modern slavery shows that efforts are being made to address the issue. The rise in globalization, the goal of Arab states to diversify their economies and attract more foreign visitors, has put the treatment of their largely foreign labor force under increased scrutiny. A prime example was the FIFA World Cup hosted in Qatar in 2022, which put a spotlight on the conditions of employees working on some mega projects related to the event. Likewise, Saudi Arabia has increasingly been hosting international sporting and entertainment events, which have been the center of much debate from both domestic and foreign observers. This has compelled states to enact policies to ensure a more comprehensive oversight of labor protections and worker rights.