In a landmark move, Saudi Arabia has launched a contractual employment model, replacing the 50-year-old Kafala system where migrant workers’ residency and employment were tied to individual employers. This old system has now been abolished to give workers the freedom to change employers without their current sponsor’s approval, and even leave the country without an exit visa when required. They can also access legal protections which were not available to them under Kafala.

Kafala meaning ‘sponsorship’ in Arabic, was criticized by human rights organizations ever since its introduction in the 1950s. The system enabled forced labour, abuse and exploitation of migrant workers across various sectors such as construction, hospitality, agriculture, and domestic work.

This new reform that is part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative would positively impact over 13 million workers, who have made the Middle Eastern country their home. However, human rights groups have asserted the careful implementation of the new model to ensure migrant workers truly benefit from this.

The abolition of Kafala would give employees free rights to negotiate employment terms, besides motivating them to establish their careers and livelihood in a better way. – editor@nrifocus.com