Saudi Arabia Ends 50-Year-Old Kafala System: Relief for 2.5 Million Indian Workers
Riyadh | October 24. 2025 | www.deccanlive.com
Historic labor reform under Vision 2030 gives foreign workers freedom to change jobs and leave the country without employer’s permission.
In a historic move, Saudi Arabia has officially ended its 50-year-old Kafala system, a labor policy that gave employers full control over foreign workers. The decision is being hailed as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 initiative, aimed at modernizing the economy and aligning the country with international human rights standards.
Under the Kafala system, foreign workers could not change jobs, leave the country, or renew their residency permits without their employer’s permission. This system often left workers in conditions resembling legal slavery. Employers could withhold passports and salaries, leaving workers with little recourse for justice. Female domestic workers faced even harsher conditions, often working 12–16 hours a day without leave or extra pay.
The system had drawn global criticism, especially in 2022 when thousands of migrant workers died while working in Qatar ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
Now, Saudi Arabia will implement a digital system to monitor workers’ rights, salaries, and contracts, ensuring transparency and accountability. Human rights organizations have welcomed the move as a positive step forward.
Reports indicate that this historic decision will provide relief to around 2.5 million Indian workers in the Kingdom.
