KAFALA SYSTEM AND MIGRANT WORKERS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF LABOR EXPLORATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Abstract

This research paper is a critical analysis of the Kafala system and its role in labor exploitation across the Middle East. The study examines how this sponsorship system, which governs migrant labor, restricts workers' rights, enables wage theft, and fosters forced labor. Using a qualitative approach, the research analyzes legal frameworks, policy documents, and workers' testimonies to assess the effectiveness of recent labor reforms in countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Despite incremental policy changes, findings reveal that systemic challenges persist, including restricted job mobility, weak legal enforcement, and employer dominance over workers. The study also explores alternative labor migration models to identify potential solutions for creating a more equitable labor system. By highlighting the limitations of current reforms and proposing policy recommendations, this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on migrant labor rights, ethical employment practices, and legal protections in the Middle East.