The controversial kafala sponsorship system, which has ensnared millions of migrant workers in the Gulf, has finally been abolished in Saudi Arabia. This landmark decision offers renewed hope and freedom to approximately 2.5 million Indian nationals working in the Kingdom, among the 13 million foreign laborers affected by the system. Introduced in the mid-20th century, kafala effectively made employers the legal gatekeepers for migrant workers, controlling their residency permits, job changes, and exit visas. This unchecked authority has historically facilitated widespread abuses, including wage theft, passport confiscation, dangerous working conditions, and physical and psychological violence, leading to situations described as modern slavery. Numerous accounts from international rights groups and tragic personal stories, such as that of a nurse enduring extreme hardship and a painter succumbing to neglect, have underscored the systemic issues inherent in the kafala framework. The abolition, part of Saudi Arabia’s broader economic and social reforms under Vision 2030, empowers workers to seek new employment and leave the country independently. While celebrated as a major victory, the challenge now lies in vigilant oversight and enforcement to prevent the perpetuation of exploitative practices, especially as similar sponsorship systems remain in place in other Gulf states.
