US EditionSaudi Ends ‘Modern Slavery’ with Kafala System. Why It’s Significant for Indian Workers
The new contract-based system allows migrant workers to change jobs freely and exit the country without visas, benefiting 13 million workers under Vision 2030 reforms.
- Saudi Arabia abolished its 50-year-old Kafala labour sponsorship system as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister's Vision 2030 reforms, reshaping migrant labour rights.
- Mounting international pressure pushed reform as the system became indefensible amid scrutiny and domestic Vision 2030 pressures, while the International Labour Organization and human rights groups said sponsorship rules enabled forced labour.
- Under the new contract-based employment model, migrant workers can change jobs without employer permission, travel without exit visas, and access expanded labour courts for grievances.
- Around 13 million foreign workers stand to benefit as Saudi Arabia aims to attract global talent and foreign investors by aligning labour policies with international standards.
- Rooted in the 1950s sponsorship system, Kafala bound migrants to sponsors who could confiscate passports, withhold pay, and restrict movement, which human rights groups called `modern-day slavery`.
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17 Articles
Saudi Arabia Scraps Decades-Old Kafala System, Easing Restrictions for 13 Million Migrant Workers | 🌎 LatestLY
Saudi Arabia has abolished the five-decade old Kafala labour sponsorship system that allowed Kafala (employers) to have inhuman control over employees, including seizing travel documents and taking decision on when they could change their jobs or leave the country, reports confirmed on Wednesday. 🌎 Saudi Arabia Scraps Decades-Old Kafala System, Easing Restrictions for 13 Million Migrant Workers.
Saudi Arabia ends Kafala system: What is it, how will it benefit 1.34 crore migrants, including Indians? Key details
Saudi Arabia ended its 50-year long Kafala system, in a landmark labour reform for the Kingdom. Migrants are set to benefit from the changes, including 1.3 crore Indians working in the country. We look at changes in rules and the likely impact.
All About Kafala Labour System Scrapped By Saudi That Affected 2.3 Million Indians
Saudi Arabia this month confirmed it had abolished the controversial 50-year-old kafala labour sponsorship system reviled as 'modern-day slavery', allowing employers - called kafeel - inhuman levels of control over employees.
Saudi ends ‘modern slavery’ with kafala system. Why it’s significant for Indian workers
Years after it was first introduced, Saudi Arabia has ended the practice of the kafala system, which controlled the lives of millions of foreign workers. Through this framework, Saudi employers gained near-total control over their employees, deciding whether they could change jobs, leave the country, or even seek legal help
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