Saudi Kafala Reforms : Big relief for migrant workers
The 'Kafala sponsorship system' that Saudi Arabia promised in November last year has come into effect officially on Sunday.
The Weekly Mail Team 
This will reduce the control of the person or company giving jobs over the lives of the workers. It is believed that this change can have an impact on the lives of about one crore foreign laborers.
After these reforms, now the laborers working in the private sector will be able to change jobs and leave the country without the consent of their boss.
While promising these reforms, the government of Saudi Arabia said that 'it is their effort to increase the capacity of the workers and to improve the working environment further'.
Some human rights activists have welcomed the government's move, warning that parts of the Kafala system have been retained even though it should have been completely abolished.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources has said that 'these changes will apply to all those who work in the private sector'.
After the change in the Kafala system, foreign workers working in Saudi Arabia will no longer need permission from their employer to give up or change jobs.
Also, they will be allowed to go out of the country without the permission of their employer. Workers will be able to apply for government services directly. Whatever service contract they have with their employees will be put online.
After the change in the Kafala system, now foreign workers working in Saudi Arabia will not need to leave their jobs or allow their employer to change. Also, they will be allowed to go out of the country without the permission of their employer.
Workers will be able to apply for government services directly. Whatever service contract they have with their employees will be put online.
"We want to create a better labor market in the country and at the same time improve the working environment for the workers," Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthunayan, deputy minister of the Ministry of Human Resources of Saudi Arabia, told reporters.
He said that these changes in labor laws will help in achieving the objectives of Vision 2030. Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia wants to reduce its dependence on oil and move ahead in other areas as well.
