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Saudi Arabia Abolishes Kafala System — A Landmark Step Towards Dignity and Freedom for Millions of Migrant Workers
By Global Desk | Statement from Dr. Anthony Raju, Advocate, Supreme Court of India & Chairman, Global Council for Human Rights and Peace
In a historic and long-awaited reform, Saudi Arabia has officially abolished the Kafala (sponsorship) system, a move hailed globally as a monumental leap toward protecting the dignity, freedom, and fundamental human rights of millions of migrant workers—many of whom hail from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and other South Asian nations.
The Kafala system, in place for decades, has often been criticized by international human rights organizations for creating an environment of dependency and control. Under this system, a migrant worker’s legal status was directly tied to their employer—requiring the employer’s consent for even the most basic rights such as changing jobs, leaving the country, or renewing a work visa.
This framework, in practice, fostered exploitation, withheld wages, and in some cases, amounted to modern-day bonded labor.
> “The abolition of the Kafala system is not just an administrative reform — it’s a humanitarian milestone,” said Dr. Anthony Raju, Advocate, Supreme Court of India, Global Human Rights Activist, and Chairman, Global Council for Human Rights and Peace.
“This bold step by Saudi Arabia reflects a growing commitment to justice, equality, and human dignity. Millions of migrant Indian workers, who form the backbone of the Gulf’s labor force, will finally have a chance to live and work with greater respect, security, and legal protection.”
A Step Toward Fairness and Empowerment
With the new reforms, foreign workers are now allowed to change jobs without employer consent, travel freely, and exit the country without approval — provided they follow proper notice procedures. This change aligns closely with global labor standards and the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
For over 2.5 million Indian nationals working in Saudi Arabia across construction, healthcare, domestic work, and other industries, this reform promises enhanced labor mobility, better working conditions, and greater protection against exploitation.
Global Implications and Responsibility
Dr. Raju further emphasized the importance of vigilance in implementation:
> “While we celebrate this historic change, we must now focus on its ground realities. The true success of this reform will depend on strict enforcement, awareness among workers, and accountability of employers and recruitment agencies. It is essential that both governments and civil society organizations work hand in hand to ensure that these new freedoms are not just on paper but are practiced every day.”
This reform could serve as a model for other Gulf nations, encouraging broader regional transformation in labor laws, ensuring fair wages, humane working hours, access to legal recourse, and respect for human rights irrespective of nationality or status.
A Call for Continued Global Solidarity
Dr. Anthony Raju concluded with a powerful message of solidarity and hope:
> “Every human being deserves to live with dignity, freedom, and equality. Let this reform remind the world that progress in human rights is possible when nations listen, reflect, and reform. We congratulate Saudi Arabia for this historic initiative and look forward to witnessing its real-world impact in uplifting millions of lives.”
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