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Saudi Arabia to Remove Key Restrictions on Migrant Labourers, Will Benefit 10 Million Workers
News 18Saudi Arabia on Wednesday announced reforms that will abolish some key restrictions tying millions of low-paid and vulnerable migrant workers to their employers in conditions that have been rife with abuse and exploitation. Human Rights Watch researcher Rothna Begum said the information provided thus far shows Saudi authorities are removing some elements of the kafala” sponsorship system in place across multiple Gulf Arab states that ties foreign workers’ legal status to their employer. Begum described the three changes to the Saudi law as significant steps that could improve migrant workers’ conditions, but cautioned it does not appear to be a full abolition of the kafala system. Migrant workers still need an employer to sponsor them to come to the country and employers may still have control over their residency status, said Begum, whose work focuses on migrant rights, domestic workers and womens rights in the Middle East.
History of this topic
Will the new Saudi law help migrant domestic workers?
The Hindu
Kuwait tragedy puts focus on expat labour
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Philippines lifts ban on sending workers to Saudi Arabia
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Saudi Arabia to scrap 'kafala' sponsorship system - branded modern slavery by critics
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