What is kafalas?

Kafalas is a system of sponsorship that is commonly used in Middle Eastern countries. Under this system, a sponsor takes responsibility for the residence and employment of a migrant worker in the country. Kafalas is also known as the sponsorship system and is used in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.

The migrant worker is tied to the sponsor, and the sponsor is responsible for the worker's visa, housing, and medical insurance. The worker cannot leave the country or change jobs without the permission of the sponsor.

Kafalas has been criticized by human rights groups as it can lead to exploitation and abuse of migrant workers. Migrant workers have limited legal rights under the system, and sponsors can withhold their passports and use physical or psychological coercion.

Efforts to reform the Kafalas system have been made in some countries, such as Qatar. In 2020, Qatar implemented labor reforms that removed the need for workers to obtain exit permits from their employers and introduced a minimum wage. However, the Kafalas system still exists as the primary means of sponsoring migrant workers in the region.