600 Migrant Workers, Including Bangladeshis, Unpaid for 8 Months by Saudi Firm: HRW

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported that at least 600 migrant workers, including those from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, have not been paid for their work for over eight months by the Saudi Arabian Baytur Construction Company. These workers were employed on the $26 billion Masar redevelopment project in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

After months of unpaid wages, the workers resorted to strikes and work stoppages. HRW stated that eleven migrant workers were detained but later released in connection with the protests.

The Masar project, a major development initiative in Mecca, is funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Michael Page, HRW's Deputy Middle East Director, commented, “The blatant wage theft against low-wage migrant workers by a company involved in a multi-billion-dollar project in Mecca highlights the failure of Saudi Arabia’s wage protection system.” He added, “These unpaid workers continue to face retaliation, including intimidation and detention, for demanding the wages owed to them.”

In October 2025, HRW conducted four interviews, including with two former Baytur workers—one of whom, now back in their home country, is owed more than 150,000 Saudi riyals (around $40,000) in unpaid wages and benefits. HRW also reviewed media reports and social media posts, as well as video clips related to the strikes. Many workers declined interviews out of fear of retaliation by Saudi authorities.

HRW reached out to Saudi Arabia's Human Resources and Social Development Ministry, Baytur, Umm Al Qura Development & Construction, and the PIF for clarification on the issue. Only the Saudi Human Resources Ministry responded, stating that the issue was identified and "corrective action" had been taken in coordination with the company, the affected workers, and their embassies.

The HRW report also mentioned that these migrant workers had been paid irregularly over the past two years, with no pay in the last several months. Additionally, some workers were under "free visa" arrangements, which are not tied to a specific employer, meaning their visas were not linked to Baytur. The company was reportedly aware of this arrangement.

The Saudi Human Resources Ministry confirmed Baytur’s noncompliance, attributing it to “financial difficulties” within the company.