23/10/2025
As part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 reforms, Saudi Arabia has abolished its longstanding Kafala (sponsorship) system. The Kafala system, introduced in the 1950s, tied a migrant worker's legal status to their employer, or kafeel, granting employers considerable control over workers' job mobility and departure from the country, which often resulted in exploitation such as confiscation of passports and wage withholding. Under Vision 2030, a new contract-based employment model has been implemented, enabling workers to switch jobs upon contract expiration or with notification to their employer, and allowing migrants to depart Saudi Arabia without requiring exit visas or employer consent, with labor courts handling violations more effectively. These reforms will have a substantial impact on millions of migrant workers from South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Philippines, who comprise a significant portion of Saudi Arabia's workforce.
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