Statement on the so-called Abolition of the Kafala System in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Migrant labor in the Middle East especially under monarchies in the Gulf Region as well as in Jordan and Lebanon, which number more than 28 million migrants, is primarily regulated and controlled through the Kafala (or sponsorship) system, a framework that legally binds foreign workers to their employers. The system has long been criticized for facilitating exploitation, even if some countries have recently introduced so-called reforms.

The Kafala system, a legal framework used in most Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, works by tying a migrant worker's residency visa and legal status directly to their individual employer (known as the “kafeel”). This creates a highly imbalanced power dynamic.

Under the traditional Kafala system, the employer has immense control because they are responsible for the worker's visa and living arrangements. This has historically led to several forms of control and abuse.

While the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially announced the abolition of the Kafala (sponsorship) system, our assessment indicates that there have been no significant changes to the actual conditions and welfare of foreign workers. In practice, the employment relationship remains heavily tilted in favor of the employer, as workers continue to be tied to their sponsors.

This initiative is not entirely new, as similar legal adjustments were previously introduced in the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Although minor improvements can be observed, numerous loopholes in both the law and its implementation persist, leaving migrant workers in vulnerable positions. Those who attempt to assert or challenge their rights often face difficult and restrictive circumstances.

Overall, we find little reason to be optimistic about the purported reforms. The changes appear largely cosmetic—altering terminology rather than transforming substance. The entrenched culture of the Kafala system, coupled with limited labor protections, inadequate wage standards, and repressive administrative practices, continues to suppress the rights and dignity of overseas workers in the Kingdom.