UN experts call on Saudi Arabia to dismantle Kafala System ahead of World Cup
NEW YORK, May 05 (YPA) –UN rights experts called on Saudi Arabia to dismantle the Kafala sponsorship system as the kingdom ramps up preparations to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
It comes as Saudi Arabia seeks to rebrand itself as a global hub for investment and culture, particularly amid preparations to host the 2034 World Cup, highlighting the gap between official rhetoric and the human rights situation on the ground.
In a joint statement, issued in Geneva, the experts warned that an estimated 16 million migrant workers in the country continue to face abuse and exploitation five years after Riyadh announced labor reforms in 2021.
“Migrant worker deaths have allegedly occurred under unclear circumstances and without accountability,” the experts stated. “Wage theft, workplace violence, retention of identity documents, and the imposition of extortionate recruitment fees are all reported to continue. These practices must stop.”
The experts noted that persisting loopholes allow employers to retain excessive control over workers. Reports indicate that enforced exit restrictions and false criminal charges are used to punish those attempting to leave abusive employment.
Access to justice remains a major concern. Many workers face barriers to reporting abuse, including fear of retaliation, lack of legal support, and complex administrative systems. Families of deceased workers often struggle to obtain information, accountability, or compensation from abroad.
Domestic workers face particular risks of trafficking for forced labor, unjust working conditions, and physical or sexual violence, while remaining excluded from core labor protections, the statement added.
“While many migrant workers are the driving force of the Saudi economy, many are left without a voice and often trapped in cycles of exploitation,” the experts warned.
The experts also pointed to the ongoing military escalation in the Middle East as a factor that heightens risks for migrant workers, who may face sudden job loss, injury, or death during periods of instability.
@E.Y.M