Photo by [eNCA]
The President of South Africa arrived in Saudi Arabia with a contingent of ministers on the invitation of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud. Being the fourth South African President to visit Saudi Arabia, the two Heads of State will have formal discussions regarding bilateral, continental and global issues.
According to the Government website, President Ramaphosa will participate in high-level business engagements with leading businesspersons, institutions, and private investors.
The discussions will focus on export market opportunities for South African produce and South Africa as an ideal investment destination.
It is intended that the deliberations between the two nations will renew the impetus to strengthen economic cooperation in priority sectors such as energy, agriculture and transport.
However, the General Secretary of the Public Service and Commercial Union of South Africa urges President Ramaphosa, in a social media post, to seize the opportunity and address reports of the death, exploitation and inhumane treatment of African and Asian migrants employed in the Arabian Gulf.
SMread: Nadima ready to launch new projects to help kids of Afghanistan achieve their dreams
Responsibilities of Trade Unions
Tahir Maepe said issues regarding human rights violations and the inhumane treatment of migrant workers, mainly from Africa, are utterly unacceptable.
He expresses the importance of trade unions in South Africa and partnering countries in being vocal about these issues since there are not many labour unions in the Middle East.
As such it is their responsibility to criticise and pressure Middle Eastern representatives in South Africa to counsel their governments to amend laws regarding foreign labourers.
“So long as the laws are not there to protect migrant workers, unfortunately, this thing is going to perpetuate, and it’s not going to stop.”
The Saudi government and governments across the Middle East are responsible for workers under their care. It is their responsibility to ensure expats live and work in good conditions and are treated within the confines of international law.
Addressing the Treatment of African Migrants
Being a country known for its immense wealth and the exceptional treatment of its guests, Maepe fears the lavishness of the occasion will deter South African leaders from addressing difficult topics such as the plight of African labourers in the Middle East.
“He must be straightforward with the Saudi government. We, as South Africa and as Africans, are dissatisfied, and we are horrified by the reports that we get about the way Africans and other workers from elsewhere are treated. Saudi Arabia needs to change their way of treating people, or else they are going to be faced with a problem.”
He expects sternness from state leaders regarding this issue, especially since human rights violations are embedded in South African history. As it will not be a fitting image for the country if they are seen solidifying relationships with nations that violate human rights and workers’ rights.
