Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Saudi Arabia’s decision to deport 30,000 Ethiopian migrant workers, including some who are suspected of suffering from COVID-19.

We are aware of these reports of deportations and are concerned at reports of COVID-19 amongst returned migrant workers in quarantine centres in Ethiopia. We are monitoring the situation closely.

It is important that we work collectively to respond to the unprecedented threat of COVID-19 to limit the spread of the virus and to mitigate its negative impacts. Under the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, we have committed to cooperation in facilitating the safe and dignified return and readmission of migrants. We encourage all countries to consider measures to respond to this commitment in the context of COVID-19.