Expat Physician Held Against His Will Fights for Rights
Raid Qusti, Arab NewsRIYADH, 28 June 2005 — Dr. Ganesh Pande, a specialist in internal medicine, has been working in the Kingdom since 1986. Nineteen years later he is a prisoner. The doctor’s sponsor has not paid him since 2002 and has held his passport against his will. In other words, Dr. Pande has been denied both his financial entitlements and his right to a vacation since 2002.
Over the past few years, the Saudi media has been noting abuse of expatriate employees by their Saudi employers. The cases they’ve raised have ranged from Indonesia housemaids who have been beaten, raped, and gone unpaid. This tory involves an Indian doctor who has been caught in a mesh of less-than-competent bureaucracy, an apparently uncaring employer, and the byzantine laws that apply to expats.
To anyone who’s worked in the kingdom, this story isn’t very exceptional–many similar cases can be cited. What is different, though, is that the story is being reported in the Saudi media, for a Saudi audience, in a piece written by the Riyadh editor for Arab News. This is an example of an activist media, something the country can use right now.
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June:28:2005 - 12:47
I believe one of the commentaries in Arab News took the line that Saudis should be forbidden from hiring expatriate labor (at least domestics) entirely.
Sounds too good to be true? But doesn’t that also mean that any expats who ARE employed illegally by Saudis lose any “rights” whatsoever? As of now, an expat can wave around a written legal contract to back up his/her story. In the future, expats won’t even be able to do that.
June:28:2005 - 13:52
“Illegally employed” in Saudi Arabia, almost be definition, means “no valid visa or work permit.” Deportation can be done at any time the person is caught to be “out of status.”
Whether an illegal alien can recoup unpaid wages is an interesting question, but one I don’t know the answer to.
There is no way, at least for 20 years, that Saudi Arabia will be able to get by without expat labor, whether white or blue collar. While some might dream of a Saudis-only country, that simply cannot happen in a globalized world. I’d have to call that suggestion a pipe dream.
July:01:2005 - 18:30
Anyhow, my father as mentioned in that article was never illegal. He worked for the same sponsor for 19 years, and as expected of any Saudi, he belched on paying the dues. As for expat-free (and that also Indian free) Saudi. Dream on, I don’t think Saudis or any gulf state will find high quality professionals for such less money. Although we Indians need to take a tougher stand, our government should engage Saudi’s in Human rights. That’s what I really like about US; they would invade such anarchist countries that would treat US citizen like this….
The real fault is with Indian bureaucrats, they should interfere, put pressure on radical and corrupt gulf countries
July:01:2005 - 18:40
I hope you didn’t read my post as suggesting your father was illegal. The article makes it clear that he was not, but that he got caught in the “Saudi-shuffle” of bouncing any expat problem between offices until the problem goes away or dies.
You’re right that no Gulf state is ready to do without expats. They can start moving the blue-collar workers out only to the extent that their own people are willing to take the jobs. To date, that hasn’t been very many. Some of the white-collar jobs can be filled, responsibly, with Saudis, but not nearly as many as some might think.
The US isn’t about to invade Saudi Arabia over human rights. But it will continue to put pressure–both officially and unofficially–on the Saudi government to get with the 21st C. interpretation of human rights.
January:07:2007 - 08:16
Just a quick note: I have a podcast by people that have immigrated or expatriated.
The point is to find the broadest range of voices possible; someone to/from every continent on the world. Please consider contributing to the podcast. Contributors write 4 articles per year, 2-3 pages each (10-15 minutes of audio). Check out the website, if you’d like! (We’re also available on Apple’s iTunes).
Expats usually know other expats, so pass on the word if you know anyone who’s a great/eclectic writer!
Regards,
bradley
June:15:2007 - 23:46
I came across what bradley had to say. Could you pass me that website for writers/ contributors? Thanks!
sabah
June:16:2007 - 06:38
Sabah: The site is Rabbit Hole Daily. http://www.freewebs.com/rabbitholedaily