In 2017, a nurse from Karnataka ventured to Saudi Arabia enticed by the prospect of a Rs 25,000 monthly wage, only to fall victim to trafficking and enslavement by her sponsor. Through enduring starvation, grueling labor, violent threats, and enslavement, her plight culminated in a protracted struggle for liberation. Saudi Arabia has recently abolished the longstanding kafala system, which facilitated the exploitation and torment of the Indian nurse.
Even though the kafala era may have concluded in Saudi Arabia, it persists in various other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. Approximately 24 million workers are still subject to kafala-style control in Gulf countries, with Indians comprising the largest segment at 7.5 million individuals, according to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Human Rights Watch (HRW).
Saudi Arabia recently eliminated the much-criticized kafala sponsorship system in a groundbreaking decision. This reform is set to impact nearly 13 million migrant workers, including over 2.5 million Indians, who constitute a significant portion of the Saudi workforce. The kafala system, condemned by rights organizations as akin to “modern-day slavery,” confined workers to a single employer, necessitating their sponsor’s approval to switch jobs, exit the country, or report mistreatment. These restrictions have now been lifted, granting workers the freedom to change jobs, leave Saudi Arabia without employer consent, and seek recourse through labor courts, all without the sponsor’s authorization.
Fundamentally, the kafala system leaves workers susceptible to exploitation and deplorable conditions. While Qatar made some adjustments before the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Saudi Arabia’s complete abandonment of the system represents a significant milestone.
The kafala system, deriving its name from the Arabic term “kafala,” meaning “sponsorship,” has served as the cornerstone of migrant labor regulation in the Gulf for decades. Initially introduced in the 1950s to manage the influx of foreign labor during the oil boom, it links a worker’s legal status to a single employer or sponsor. Under this setup, the sponsor wields authority over visas, employment, and even the living arrangements and travel permissions of workers.
Essentially, workers find themselves ensnared under their employer’s control. Initially intended to safeguard local jobs and ensure a stable workforce, the system swiftly transformed into a nightmare for millions, particularly Indians. In Saudi Arabia alone, nearly 40% of the population comprises migrants (over 13 million people), and under kafala, workers require their sponsor’s consent to change jobs, exit the country, or even retain possession of their passports, rendering them vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.
The kafala system predominantly affects blue-collar and low-wage migrant workers, particularly those engaged in domestic work, construction, hospitality, cleaning, and other manual labor sectors. While white-collar professionals such as doctors, engineers, and corporate employees are typically exempt from the harshest aspects of the kafala system, they also technically necessitate sponsorship for residency and employment.
The kafala system persists across the Gulf region, including in the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, as well as in countries like Lebanon and Jordan in slightly modified forms. While Qatar relaxed certain regulations ahead of the 2022 World Cup, retaining measures like exit visas, the UAE and Bahrain have implemented minor reforms. Nonetheless, only Saudi Arabia has completely eradicated kafala, signifying a significant breakthrough. However, 24 million workers, including 7.5 million Indians, continue to be subjected to kafala-style control throughout Gulf nations.