A movie titled “The Goat Life” has sparked fierce controversy in Saudi Arabia, where citizens are calling for a boycott, according to a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report released on Monday.
Released this month, it recounts the harrowing story of Najeeb Muhammed, an Indian migrant worker who, after being abandoned in the Saudi desert in the early 1990s, was forced to work as a goat herder.
The film is based on the 2008 bestseller, “Goat Days,” written by another migrant worker under the pseudonym “Benyamin.”
Saudis have strongly criticized the film, saying it blatantly exaggerates an isolated case of mistreatment of migrant workers and perpetuates negative stereotypes of Saudi culture.
Despite these criticisms, the film highlights the harsh reality faced by many migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, particularly those working as shepherds.
Najeeb’s story, while dramatized for cinematic purposes, reveals widespread abuses that have persisted for decades, despite claims by Saudi social network users that such cases are rare, says HRW. During interviews to promote the film, Najeeb shared further details of his ordeal, highlighting the harsh conditions he endured.
The abuses described in “The Goat Life” are mainly linked to the extreme isolation of the shepherds, exacerbated by the kafala (sponsorship) system in force in Saudi Arabia.
This system, which grants employers disproportionate control over migrant workers, has been linked to wage theft, exploitation through recruitment fees, exposure to extreme heat, and a lack of government oversight. Migrant herders, who are not protected by Saudi labor laws, often suffer the worst abuses, including trafficking, physical violence, and extreme isolation, reports HRW.
As Saudi Arabia pursues its ambitious development plans under its Vision 2030 and has submitted its bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, the country’s dependence on migrant labor remains a crucial issue.
