A group of independent experts affiliated with the United Nations has issued a strong warning to Saudi Arabia, urging the country to fully abolish the Kafala sponsorship system as it accelerates preparations for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The call comes amid mounting international concern over the treatment of an estimated 16 million migrant workers who form the backbone of the nation’s economy.
According to the experts, despite Saudi Arabia’s 2021 Labour Reform Initiative, serious allegations of abuse and exploitation persist. Reports continue to surface of migrant worker deaths under unclear circumstances, often without accountability. Issues such as wage theft, workplace violence, confiscation of identity documents, and excessive recruitment fees remain widespread, raising alarm among human rights observers.
The Kafala system, which ties workers’ legal status directly to their employers, continues to grant sponsors significant control over workers’ mobility and rights. Migrant workers frequently require employer permission to change jobs, leave the country, or access legal assistance. Although reforms were announced, loopholes reportedly allow employers to maintain restrictive practices, including exit bans and the filing of false charges against workers attempting to escape abusive conditions.
Access to justice remains a major challenge. Many workers are reluctant to report abuse due to fear of retaliation, lack of legal support, and complex administrative procedures. Families of deceased workers often struggle to obtain information or compensation, particularly when dealing with authorities from abroad.
The situation is even more precarious for domestic workers, who are largely excluded from core labour protections. Experts warn that these workers face heightened risks of forced labour, exploitative conditions, and physical or sexual abuse, with limited avenues for recourse.
Regional instability has further compounded these vulnerabilities. Ongoing military tensions in the Middle East increase the risk of sudden job loss, injury, or death for migrant workers, exacerbating existing inequalities and highlighting the urgency of reform.
The UN experts emphasized that while migrant workers play a crucial role in Saudi Arabia’s economic growth, many remain voiceless and trapped in cycles of exploitation. They called on the government to take immediate and concrete steps to ensure full inclusion of migrant workers under national labour laws, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, and create safe, accessible channels for reporting abuse.
The experts also urged Saudi Arabia to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, stressing that meaningful reform requires consistent implementation, independent oversight, and accountability.
As global attention intensifies in the lead-up to 2034, the treatment of migrant workers is expected to remain under scrutiny. Observers note that ensuring their rights and dignity will be critical not only for the success of the World Cup but also for the credibility of Saudi Arabia’s broader development ambitions.
