GENEVA - UN experts* today urged Saudi Arabia to effectively abolish the Kafala (sponsorship) system as the country accelerates preparations ahead of the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
"Five years after the encouraging announcement of labour reforms, we continue to receive reports of abuse and labour exploitation of the estimated 16 million migrant workers in the country," the experts said.
"Migrant worker deaths have allegedly occurred under unclear circumstances and without accountability," they said. "Wage theft, workplace violence, retention of identity documents and the imposition of extortionate recruitment fees are all reported to continue. These practices must stop."
The Kafala system gives employers complete control over migrant workers' legal status, residency, job mobility and travel. Workers often need their sponsor's permission to leave the country, change jobs or access legal help. Despite the Labour Reform Initiative initiated in 2021, many aspects of this sponsorship system continue to be applied. Persisting loopholes allow employers to retain excessive control over workers, with reports indicating that enforced exit restrictions and false criminal charges are used to punish those attempting to leave abusive employment. These practices raise significant concerns about worker mobility and freedom.
Access to justice remains limited, with many workers facing barriers to reporting abuse, including fear of retaliation, lack of legal support and complex administrative systems. Families of deceased workers often encounter challenges in seeking information, accountability and compensation from abroad.
Despite promised reforms, migrant domestic workers remain especially at risk of trafficking for forced labour, unjust conditions of work, and physical or sexual violence, while remaining excluded from core labour protections.
Military escalation in the Middle East has heightened risks for migrant workers who may face increased exposure to sudden job loss, injury or death during such periods of instability. The experts warned that these vulnerabilities exacerbate existing inequalities, underscoring the urgency for reform.
"While many migrant workers are the driving force of the Saudi economy, many are left without a voice and often trapped in cycles of exploitation," the experts said.
They renewed their calls on Saudia Arabia for urgent and concrete action, emphasising the need to fully include migrant workers under national labour protections, strengthen enforcement mechanisms and ensure safe and accessible reporting channels. They urged the effective dismantling of the Kafala system in both law and practice, ensuring that workers can change jobs and leave the country without undue restrictions. The experts also encouraged Saudi Arabia to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
"Meaningful change will depend on consistent implementation, independent oversight and accountability," the experts said.
As global attention builds ahead of 2034, ensuring the protection, dignity and rights of migrant workers is essential - not only for the success of the World Cup, but for the credibility of Saudi Arabia's broader development vision.
The experts have contacted the government of Saudi Arabia about this issue.
