Saudi Arabia Ends Kafala System
Saudi Arabia has officially abolished the kafala system, a framework that had effectively reduced roughly 13 million migrant workers to a state resembling indentured servitude, granting employers significant control over their lives.
In Arabic, kafala translates to “sponsorship.” This system, introduced during the 1950s oil boom, aimed to facilitate and regulate an influx of low-cost labor from abroad.
Under kafala, migrant workers were tethered to local sponsors, known as “kafeels,” who dictated various aspects of their lives in Saudi Arabia.
It wasn’t merely a mechanism for servitude; the sponsor held power over employment, wages, legal status, and living conditions. Workers faced severe limitations; changing jobs required the sponsor’s permission, and non-compliance could lead to wage deductions or even loss of passports. Some migrants faced expulsion from the country if their employers were dissatisfied, while others simply couldn’t return after leaving.
Domestic workers often found themselves in the most vulnerable positions. The kafala system particularly affected them, allowing employers to treat them poorly, often resorting to physical and sexual abuse. Many were fearful of reporting such mistreatment due to a lack of legal protections.
The current migrant worker population in Saudi Arabia, standing at about 13.4 million, constitutes nearly 42% of the total population, with many hailing from economically disadvantaged areas in countries like India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Philippines.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has advocated for reforms, particularly amid growing criticism from international human rights organizations. This move aligns with the broader initiative known as Saudi Vision 2030, designed to lessen the nation’s reliance on oil.
A fundamental aspect of MBS’s plan includes reforming various policies to attract foreign investment, as many of Saudi Arabia’s partners oppose forced labor practices.
Recent announcements from the Saudi government confirm that reforms to the kafala system have been implemented. Migrants will now have the opportunity to work under more favorable contracts, allowing them greater autonomy, such as the ability to switch jobs or leave the country without needing employer approval. Additionally, there will be improved processes for lodging complaints with labor courts.
While human rights organizations express cautious optimism regarding these reforms, they underscore that changes have yet to encompass all workers. Issues like abusive recruitment practices remain unaddressed, and more extensive reforms are required—especially to safeguard domestic workers, who are among the most at risk in the migrant workforce.
“Amending the law is just the initial phase. Transforming the actual situations faced by these workers will take considerably more time,” noted Human Rights Watch (HRW).
