The kafala system is used to monitor migrant laborers, working primarily in the construction and domestic sectors in Gulf Cooperation Council member states and a few neighboring countries - Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. It gives Arab nationals and companies in those countries with sponsorship permits to employ foreign laborers, instead of recruitment agencies.
“We welcome the recent announcement of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development abolishing the notorious kafala system. For us, who have long been advocating for the rights and welfare of migrants, this is a positive step for the protection of our Filipino migrant workers, and other migrant workers as well. We hope that this will set precedent to other countries in the Gulf region who has implemented the same,” said Rev. Marie Sol Villalon, the spokesperson of Churches Witnessing With Migrants–Philippines and also coordinator of the Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Ministry of the United Methodist Church-Manila Episcopal Area.