INTRODUCTION
More than 23 million migrant workers live in the six Middle Eastern countries that make up the political and economic alliance known as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. Unfortunately, abuse of these workers is widespread, mostly due to the legal framework of the kafala sponsorship system — the legal framework defining the relationship between migrant workers and their employers — which can result in contract violations and dangerous working conditions, benefit unscrupulous traffickers, and cause discord among brokers and employers. Media outlets, both local and international, have generally struggled to closely cover human trafficking and forced labor in the region, however, because of the restrictions on press freedom, security concerns, and threats of detention or deportation.
For these reasons, GIJN, in collaboration with Migrant-Rights.org, has updated and expanded this multilingual guide to educate journalists on best practices, tools, and country-specific resources, all against the backdrop of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Illustrations are by Marcelle Louw. Project manager was Majdoleen Hasan. Editing by Reed Richardson.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter One: Best Practices
Three Trends in COVID-Era Reporting | Problematic Story Angles Overused During the Pandemic | Overlooked Storylines Needing More Exploration
Chapter Two: COVID-19 Overview
Key Background Reporting Tips | Security Advice | Vaccination Update
Chapter Three: Statistics and Studies
Labor and Migration Data Sources | United Nations Sources | Origin Nation Sources | Destination Nation Sources | European Organization Sources | International Human Rights Organization Sources | Academic Papers and Studies
Chapter Four: Essential Reading
Human Rights Reporting and News | Governmental and Intergovernmental Research | Books and Novels
Chapter Five: Guide to Experts
International Labor Groups | Academics and Researchers | Origin Country Groups | Destination Country Groups
Chapter Six: Trafficking Case Studies
Domestic Workers: Trafficking and Unscrupulous Recruitment
| Stranded | Debts and False Promises | No Way Out: Exit Permits and Confiscated Passports
Chapter Seven: First-Hand Reporting Accounts
Working Around Political Constraints | Alternatives to On-the-Ground Reporting | Protecting Sources, Reporting as a Woman | Pushing Back Against a False “All is Well” Narrative | Persevering in the Face of Information Crackdown
Chapter Eight: Key Terms
Definitions | Risk Factors for Human Trafficking | Common Issues in the Region
Chapter Nine: Trafficking & Forced Labor Glossary
Forms of Migration and Employment | Irregular Employment | Recruitment Process and Pitfalls
Chapter Ten: Reporting Guide for Bahrain
Media Environment | Reporting on Migration Issues | Finding and Pursuing Stories | Interviews and Meetings | Recommended Reading
Chapter Eleven: Reporting Guide for Kuwait
Media Environment | Finding and Pursuing Stories | Interviews and Meetings | General Reporting Tips
Chapter Twelve: Reporting Guide for Oman
Media Environment | Finding and Pursuing Stories | Interviews and Meetings | General Reporting Tips
Chapter Thirteen: Reporting Guide for Qatar
Media Environment | Finding and Pursuing Stories | Interviews and Meetings | General Reporting Tips
Chapter Fourteen: Reporting Guide for Saudi Arabia
Media Environment | Finding and Pursuing Stories | Legal Avenues to Explore | General Reporting Tips
Chapter Fifteen: Reporting Guide for UAE
Media Environment | Finding and Pursuing Stories | Interviews and Meetings