🇸🇦 Historic Reform in Saudi Arabia, Ends of Kafalah system

Q.H with Hira

🇸🇦 Historic Reform in Saudi Arabia  Saudi Arabia officially abolishes the decades-old Kafala (sponsorship) system, freeing over 10 million migrant workers — including 2.5 million Indians.  Part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, this bold step reshapes labour rights across the Kingdom, ending decades of dependency under the tied-visa rule.  A new chapter begins for expatriates — built on dignity, fairness, and opportunity. 🌍✨  #SaudiArabia #Vision2030 #LabourReform #Kafala #Expatriates #india قرآن و حدیث، اسلا می تعلیمات، دعا و اذکار

Transcript

00:00our next story is from saudi arabia the kingdom has officially ended the kafala system

00:06it was a sponsorship model a framework that was introduced in the 1950s for migrant workers

00:12it allowed employers to seize passports and restrict the movement of workers critics called

00:18it modern day slavery saudi arabia decided to abolish it in june this year it's one of the

00:23biggest changes to saudi labor laws in decades it's part of crown prince mohammed bin salman's

00:29vision 2030 plan the plan to modernize the economy and to attract global talent the end of the kafala

00:35system will impact over 13 million foreign workers in saudi arabia this living and working in the

00:41country for many it could reshape what life and work in the region looks like here's our report

00:48for decades millions of migrant workers in saudi arabia lived under a system that defined every

00:58part of their working life it was called the kafala system in arabic kafala means sponsorship

01:06it was a system that tied every foreign worker to a local employer that employer called the kafil

01:12held control over the workers visa job and residence workers could not change jobs

01:20they could not leave the country as their passports were confiscated and they could not renew their

01:25permits without the sponsor's approval it shaped the lives of millions from construction sites to

01:33homes and hospitals the kafala system defined how migrant labor worked in saudi arabia

01:39the system was introduced in the 1950s during the oil boom that transformed the west asian region

01:46it was designed to regulate the influx of foreign labor that powered the region's rapid growth

01:51over time the model spread across west asia each country implemented its own version but in every

01:59case it gave employers significant control over foreign workers in saudi arabia this control extended

02:06to millions the country has around 13.4 million migrant workers they make up about 42 percent of its

02:14population most of them come from south and southeast asian countries so the reform unveiled in june this

02:22year officially ends the decades-old system it replaces the system with a contract-based framework

02:29workers can now switch jobs after completing a contract or by giving proper notice they can travel

02:36abroad without needing an exit visa or their employer's approval in most cases and they can file

02:42complaints if wages are delayed or rights are violated it comes as part of crown prince mohammed bin salman's

02:50vision 2030 plan the plan is a road map to diversify the economy and attract global investment

02:58neighboring qatar had overhauled its labor rules before hosting the 2022 fifa world cup

03:04observers say saudi arabia's move follows that regional momentum for reform

03:09it is one of the largest expatriate communities in the kingdom saudi arabia also hosts migrant labor

03:17from bangladesh pakistan indonesia among others most are employed in construction health care domestic work

03:26retail and services easier job transfers and fewer travel restrictions could allow workers to seek better pay

03:34and safer working conditions but experts say implementation will be key to the reform's success

03:41still for many the change is being seen as historic offering new independence and mobility

03:48and for saudi arabia it marks a step towards a more open and modern labor market

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended