Saudi Arabia Scraps Kafala System, Migrant Workers Gain Freedom

In a pivotal moment for migrant rights, Saudi Arabia has abolished its long-standing kafala sponsorship system, ending a regime that has kept millions of foreign workers, including a significant Indian diaspora, in precarious conditions. For over five decades, the kafala system dictated every aspect of a migrant’s life, linking their legal residency to a single employer, or ‘kafeel’. This effectively gave sponsors immense control, often leading to severe abuses such as unpaid wages, passport confiscation, and forced labor. The system’s grip affected an estimated 13 million foreign workers in Saudi Arabia, with Indians forming the largest expatriate community. Harrowing tales of mistreatment, like that of a nurse from Karnataka who endured starvation and violence, have repeatedly brought the kafala system under intense scrutiny. This reform, effective from October 14, 2025, grants workers the right to switch jobs freely and leave the country without their employer’s permission, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification agenda. While this is a monumental step, many human rights organizations emphasize that robust implementation and accountability are crucial to ensure workers are no longer vulnerable to exploitation, a practice still prevalent in various forms across other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.