Carrefour Investigates Allegations of Worker Abuse in Saudi Arabia

A recent report by Amnesty International has accused Carrefour's Saudi Arabian franchise, Majid Al Futtaim, of exploiting migrant workers through excessive working hours, underpayment, and poor living conditions. Many workers, primarily from Nepal, India, and Pakistan, were reportedly coerced into long shifts without adequate rest days and lived in overcrowded conditions. In response to the allegations, Carrefour announced plans for both internal and external investigations to ensure compliance with human rights standards, while emphasizing its commitment to addressing labor violations. Although Carrefour's initial internal probe did not confirm many claims, the company has pledged to appoint an independent expert to oversee the review. Amnesty International insists that Carrefour must take further action, including compensating affected workers and reimbursing recruitment fees. The Saudi government stated that it does not tolerate employee maltreatment, yet has remained silent on the specific allegations against Carrefour.