Kafala system

Qatar: Statement by the Spokesperson on the dismantling of the k

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Western Asia, Geography of Asia, Cultural globalization, Migrant workers, Global workforce, Immigration law, Kafala system, Unfree labour, Qatar, International Labour Organization, Labour law

Once these reforms enter into force, Qatar will become the first country in the Gulf region to dismantle the kefala ("sponsorship") system governing the employment of migrant workers, which gives employers excessive control over them.

Key Points: 
  • Once these reforms enter into force, Qatar will become the first country in the Gulf region to dismantle the kefala ("sponsorship") system governing the employment of migrant workers, which gives employers excessive control over them.
  • The EU strongly supports these labour legislation reform efforts, which it has long advocated and discussed with Qatar, especially in the informal Human Rights Dialogue.
  • We also commend the International Labour Organisation for its supportive and crucial role accompanying the Qatari government on its labour law reform agenda.
  • 18/2020 and further improvements of the legal framework covering workers' rights in Qatar.

Stop labour exploitation and protect workers from COVID-19

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Migrant workers, Global workforce, Immigration, Demography, Domestic worker, Labor, Human geography, Kafala system, Migrant domestic workers

We clearly have to do more to stop labour exploitation, provide safe working conditions and ensure adequate pay.

Key Points: 
  • We clearly have to do more to stop labour exploitation, provide safe working conditions and ensure adequate pay.
  • While the rights of all workers have to be respected, migrant or not, FRA has specifically looked into the exploitation of migrant workers.
  • The 2019 report Protecting migrant workers from exploitation in the EU: workers perspectives shows illegal practices in many sectors including agriculture, construction, domestic work, hospitality, manufacturing and transport.
  • Background information:

    The Protecting migrant workers from exploitation in the EU: workers perspectives report draws on face-to-face and focus group interviews with 237 adult workers who have been victims of severe labour exploitation between 2013 and 2017.