UN experts urge Saudi Arabia to abolish the Kafala system and protect migrant workers ahead of the 2034 World Cup

United Nations experts have renewed calls on Saudi authorities to take urgent and effective steps toward fully abolishing the Kafala (sponsorship) system, stressing that systematic abuses against migrant workers continue despite labor reform announcements made five years ago, as preparations accelerate for hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

“Five years after the encouraging announcement of labour reforms, we continue to receive reports of abuse and labour exploitation of the estimated 16 million migrant workers in the country,” the experts said.

They noted that they continue to receive alarming reports concerning migrant workers in Saudi Arabia, including deaths occurring under unclear circumstances without accountability, as well as ongoing wage theft, workplace violence, confiscation of official documents, and the imposition of excessive recruitment fees that trap workers in cycles of exploitation.

The experts emphasized that despite reforms announced under the 2021 Labour Reform Initiative, the Kafala system remains fundamentally intact, with employers still exercising broad control over workers’ legal status, including residency, mobility, job changes, and departure from the country. They also pointed to continued reports that exit restrictions and false criminal charges are used against workers attempting to escape abusive employment.

The UN statement further stressed that migrant workers’ access to justice remains severely limited due to fear of retaliation, weak legal protections, and complex administrative procedures. Families of deceased workers also face significant barriers in obtaining information, accountability, or compensation.

In this context, the experts warned that migrant domestic workers remain particularly vulnerable to forced labor, human trafficking, abusive working conditions, and physical or sexual violence, while still excluded from many core labor protections.

They also highlighted that escalating regional tensions and military instability in the Middle East increase risks for migrant workers, who may face sudden job loss, injury, or death during periods of crisis, further deepening existing inequalities and insecurity.

The experts stressed that migrant workers are a fundamental pillar of Saudi Arabia’s economy, yet many remain voiceless and trapped in exploitation. They called on Saudi Arabia to dismantle the Kafala system in both law and practice, guarantee workers’ freedom to change jobs and leave the country without undue restrictions, and fully integrate migrant workers into national labor protections.

They also urged Saudi Arabia to ratify the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, emphasizing that genuine progress requires consistent implementation, independent oversight, and transparent accountability mechanisms.