The Migrant-Rights.org team discusses what it means. to abolish the kafala, and why GCC states aren't on track to do it.
Kafala is a catchall term to describe the visa regime of the Gulf states. In advocacy, reporting and research, these nuances are often lost in the pursuit of a convenient tag, allowing Gulf states to celebrate minimum reforms that go little beyond renaming old practices. This discussion aims to break down these claims and shed light on the plight and human rights of migrant workers within the complex play of immigration control and labour market dynamics.