Saudi Arabia puts an end to 'kafala' or foreign labor sponsorship system

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has ended the "kafala" or sponsorship system for foreign workers under its Labor Reform Initiative, which took effect on March 14, 2021.

While the Kingdom's move has been welcomed by overseas Filipino workers in KSA, Consul General Edgar Badajos of the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah advised Pinoy expatriates against recklessly making decisions about their present employment.

Praising the Saudi government for the initiative, Badajos told OFWs that in April there will be a forum between the KSA and the Philippine governments to discuss how foreign workers would benefit from the termination of the kafala system.

Human rights groups had repeatedly called on the kingdom to abolish its "kafala" sponsorship system, branded by critics as a modern form of slavery that binds workers to their Saudi employers.

With the kafala removed, foreign workers are now free to look for other employer if they so decide.

But Badajos clarified that  the new labor initiative does not cover household service workers, domestic workers, and family drivers. —with a report from Ronaldo Concha/LBG, GMA News