Saudi Aramco uses a migrant worker from South Asia as a 'human hand sanitizer'

[Kailash Kumar]

The World's Most Valuable Company Used A Migrant Worker As A Human Hand Sanitizer

The pictures of the man dressed as a hand sanitizer during the global coronavirus outbreak went viral and caused outrage online.

Megha Rajagopalan

March 11, 2020

https://twitter.com/x/status/1237406453175996417

Pictures of a migrant worker forced to dress as a hand sanitizer in the lobby of the oil giant Saudi Aramco's headquarters have caused outrage after going viral.

The pictures emerged Tuesday, showing a man wearing a face mask and a box with the words "hand sanitizer" written on it, as well as an actual dispenser, as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The images were widely criticized on Twitter as exploitative and racist — another example of employees being abused in Saudi Arabia, which has been plagued by scandal after scandal around systematic mistreatment of its several million migrant workers.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1237519825083211776

https://twitter.com/x/status/1237734591982600192

It was also cited as another example of "coronavirus racism."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1237682675785367552

Though Saudi Arabia has put in place some reforms, including planning to do away with the employer sponsorship system that rights groups said fueled the abuses of workers, migrants in the country still enjoy few rights.

An email to Brunswick, the PR firm that represents Saudi Aramco, went unanswered, but only after the pictures went viral did Saudi Aramco say on Twitter that it was "strongly dissatisfied" with what had happened and that it had taken measures to prevent it from happening again.

The statement, which was only published on its Arabic Twitter account, left unclear who had arranged for the man to be dispensing hand sanitizer in the company's lobby or why. The post did not include an apology to the man himself.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1237483679934550016

There are 21 cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, in Saudi Arabia, which has taken steps to prevent the spread of the virus by banning religious lessons at mosques and suspending travel to and from 14 counties.

Saudi Aramco is the most valuable company in the world, and in December, its initial public offering was the largest in history at $1.7 trillion.

Saudi Arabia is currently waging an oil price war against Russia, which when added to the global fallout from the coronavirus, has led to markets crashing around the world.

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/meghara/coronavirus-saudi-aramco-human-hand-sanitizer

 

[Kailash Kumar]

Especially in the photo below, you can see the sadness in the man's eyes.
Makes me mad at the Saudi's.

 

[YeBeWarned]

Rich people, taking Advantage of Poor ones .. what's new ?

 

[Beast]

How do u know he is forced?

In many countries, mascot are used for promotion of certain campaign, promote awareness and mascot are quite well paid given that they need to wear the heavy outfit and stand for many hours.

 

[Mugwop]

How do u know he is forced?

In many countries, mascot are used for promotion of certain campaign and mascot are quite well paid given that they need to wear the heavy outfit and stand for many hours.

Look at his face and facial expressions.They say it all.
Needles to say most gulf countries take passports of such migrants and turn them into slaves.

 

[Crixus]

He might got some relief from hard shift and might be happy.....

How do u know he is forced?

In many countries, mascot are used for promotion of certain campaign, promote awareness and mascot are quite well paid given that they need to wear the heavy outfit and stand for many hours.

 

[Beast]

Look at his face and facial expressions.They say it all.
Needles to say most gulf countries take passports of such migrants and turn them into slaves.

I do agree his face doesnt look good. Is he feeling tired or really unhappy? As for the outfit. Its common such outfit is used for certain awareness campaign and is never to degrade one person. Since Saudi is suffering from coronavirus outbreak too. A mobile awareness mascot will grind better awareness of sanitizing among its employee than a stationery one.

 

[khansaheeb]

Look at his face and facial expressions.They say it all.
Needles to say most gulf countries take passports of such migrants and turn them into slaves.

Yes, Poor guy was shoved into the frontline against Corona virus and doesn't look too happy.

 

[fitpOsitive]

Especially in the photo below, you can see the sadness in the man's eyes.
Makes me mad at the Saudi's.

He must worst conditions than this in his own country, that's why he is doing that job anyway.

 

[denel]

I have a co-worker who recently returned from Dubai, he told me of his experiences... Told me about Indian, Pakistani, Syrian, Filipino, Bosnian girls who were there and would offer services for 100-300$ a night. Told me the locals would frequent often. The only thing that really irks me is why the heck do our people hold these shameless persons in high esteem?

The Sahabas and subsequent Arabs were noteworthy people, but these people aren't worth more than the dirt of my shoe.

I concur, these are scums. I dont know why Pak and so many people hold these arabs on a pedestle.

 

[Baba_Yaga]

In the countries you mentioned, yes it happens. In Afghanistan ,perhaps undercover in Government controlled territories, but in Taliban controlled territories definitely no!

Other countries can practice this filthy deed it’s none of my business what happens in other peoples countries, but in my country we will get rid of this evil once and for all.

Sorry, you are mistaken. People like the Taliban are especially the ones who use prostitutes. If there are no prostitutes around, they turn to little boys. It happens everywhere. You can never get rid of prostitution. This profession is as old as civilization itself. You can convince yourself that you will wipe it out, but it will continue to occur as long as there is poverty. Even in the most developed countries like Norway, Sweden, there is still prostitution, since there are always women who are in need of money to survive. If it happens in these countries, then what hope is there for Afghanistan, not for the next 100 years anyway. As long as there is poverty and women in need, there will always be prostitution.

 

[-=virus=-]

lol

 

[H. Dawary]

Sorry, you are mistaken. People like the Taliban are especially the ones who use prostitutes. If there are no prostitutes around, they turn to little boys. It happens everywhere. You can never get rid of prostitution. This profession is as old as civilization itself. You can convince yourself that you will wipe it out, but it will continue to occur as long as there is poverty. Even in the most developed countries like Norway, Sweden, there is still prostitution, since there are always women who are in need of money to survive. If it happens in these countries, then what hope is there for Afghanistan, not for the next 100 years anyway. As long as there is poverty and women in need, there will always be prostitution.

Under the Taliban Bacha Bazi was a crime punishable by death...

And prostitution resulted in 99 lashes, towards both the offenders, and if they were married god forbid, their punishment was stoning to death.

Prostitution dens in Kabul had to keep changing homes every two months for fear of getting caught by the Taliban. Such was our laws, in which all vice was prohibited, and virtue was promoted.

 

[Diggy]

Rich people, taking Advantage of Poor ones .. what's new ?

Not really? Will you see such a thing in any European country. They don’t even prefer to keep domestic help. It is more a cultural issue, shameful to see this.

 

[Kailash Kumar]

He must worst conditions than this in his own country, that's why he is doing that job anyway.

Well, yes, his life would be worse in his home country.

But...

Why did they not choose an Arab or a Westerner?

Because you and I both know they look down upon South Asians and therefore let them to these type of jobs.