KAFALA SYSTEM AND MIGRANT WORKERS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF LABOR EXPLORATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Keywords:
Kafala System, Migrant Workers, Labor Exploitation, Middle East, Labor Reforms, Human Rights, Forced Labor, Wage Theft, Policy RecommendationsAbstract
This research paper is a critical analysis of the Kafala system and its role in labor exploitation across the
Middle East. The study examines how this sponsorship system, which governs migrant labor, restricts workers'
rights, enables wage theft, and fosters forced labor. Using a qualitative approach, the research analyzes legal
frameworks, policy documents, and workers' testimonies to assess the effectiveness of recent labor reforms in
countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Despite incremental policy changes, findings reveal that
systemic challenges persist, including restricted job mobility, weak legal enforcement, and employer dominance
over workers. The study also explores alternative labor migration models to identify potential solutions for
creating a more equitable labor system. By highlighting the limitations of current reforms and proposing policy
recommendations, this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on migrant labor rights, ethical
employment practices, and legal protections in the Middle East.
