RIYADH: Dr. Awwad Al-Awwad, president of the Human Rights Commission and chair of the Commission for Combating Human Trafficking, said Saudi Arabia has “paid great attention to the fight against human trafficking and has put in place laws that will reduce and prosecute such crimes, convict [perpetrators], and provide psychological and legal care to victims.” On the occasion of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, July 30, Al-Awwad expressed his satisfaction with the Kingdom’s international successes in combating human trafficking through the development of legal frameworks that prioritize human safety. Saudi Arabia is making efforts, he said, to ramp up its fight against trafficking by fortifying the legal system and joining international conventions that would counter these crimes.  Saudi Arabia has signed several memorandums of cooperation with relevant international entities, such as the Human Rights Council, including the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking and governmental referral procedures for cases of human trafficking. The Kingdom, Al-Awwad said, “will continue to work hard...to hold perpetrators accountable” and to assure an environment that “protects and respects” human rights.   The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development stated that it has established labor market regulations to secure workers’ access to their rights, protecting them from becoming victims of human trafficking. In a statement issued Saturday, the ministry added that it has implemented several initiatives in support of workers’ rights, including programs to improve contractual relationships, protect wages and document contracts. An electronic friendly settlement service and supportive platform providing recruitment services to beneficiaries were also activated. The Ministry stated that it “aims to preserve employees’ and employers’ rights and strengthen the labor market” through these initiatives.