End of kafala no panacea for Egyptian workers in Saudi Arabia
Although Egypt officially welcomes the end of the kafala system in Saudi Arabia, some observers worry the changes will be largely cosmetic as abusive work contracts remain in place.
CAIRO — Saudi Arabia has received international acclaim for plans to abolish the sponsorship system known as kafala.
Egyptian Minister of Manpower and Immigration Mohammad Saafan announced Nov. 6 that Egyptian labor in Saudi Arabia will receive unprecedented privileges upon the abolition of the kafala system, which has been in force for more than 70 years.
Saafan said such privileges include increased freedom in changing jobs and visas that will allow workers to leave the kingdom for vacations or permanently without the consent of a Saudi sponsor. Work contract terms still apply, such as notifying the employer of changing jobs or leaving the kingdom as well as sufficient notification for leave requests.
The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development announced Nov. 4 that the Labor Reform Initiative will improve the labor conditions of migrant employees through ending the kafala system. The abolition of the kafala system for all migrant workers in the private sector will take effect in March 2021. Notably, five employment categories will be exempt: drivers, guards, domestic workers, shepherds and gardeners.
