Modern slavery exists today, and for many, it goes by the name of the kafala system. This labor sponsorship program, mainly in the Middle East, dictates how millions of migrant workers live and work. Officially, it’s for managing migration, but it often gives employers immense control over their workers’ lives, which is why human rights groups compare it to modern slavery.
The kafala system ties a migrant worker’s legal status directly to a local sponsor, usually their employer. The employer controls the worker’s visa and residency, and in some cases even whether they’re allowed to quit or leave the country. Kafala is used in Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, as well as places like Lebanon and Jordan. The system took shape in the mid-20th century, when oil-rich countries needed huge numbers of foreign workers but didn’t want to offer citizenship. Instead of building strong labor protections, governments handed that power to private employers. In time, this created deep dependence and very little protection for workers. What started as a practical solution slowly turned into a system that made exploitation easy.
Because of this imbalance, kafala is widely described as modern-day slavery. Workers often can’t change jobs, leave abusive employers, or even report mistreatment without risking detention or deportation. These realities became impossible to ignore during major global events, especially in the lead-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Women often go through some of the worst conditions under the kafala system, especially in places where the rules are stricter, like Lebanon and Kuwait. In interviews with 30 female survivors, the international human rights group Walk Free uncovered just how extreme their experiences were. Many of the women said they were stuck in abusive situations, unable to move freely, use a phone, or even leave the place where they worked. About half eventually escaped on their own, but some were still arrested or deported, even though they were the ones being abused.
Trying to get help wasn’t easy either, as support from authorities, embassies, and recruitment agencies was often missing. In some cases, women had to pay their employers just to be allowed to leave, while others depended on family members or local organizations to get home. Many also said they had been misled from the start, promised one type of job and then forced into something completely different once they arrived.
In late 2025, Saudi Arabia announced a major shift by officially ending its traditional kafala system and moving to a contract-based labor model. On paper, the reforms give migrant workers more freedom, including the ability to change jobs after contracts end, fewer exit visa requirements, and better access to legal support. The changes were driven by global pressure and the country’s broader economic reform plans. Still, many advocates remain cautious. Amnesty International and other groups warn weak enforcement, and the continued exclusion of domestic workers could mean kafala-style control continues under a new name.
Today, the kafala system continues to shape migrant labor across the Middle East, even in countries that claim it has been dismantled. True freedom for millions of workers won’t happen without stronger enforcement and closing the legal gaps that let this abuse continue. Until then, the promise of a better life will remain out of reach for many.
