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The difficulties of migrant workers under the Kafala system

A diversity of Kafala systems characterises destination countries as to the type of restrictions and their application. Despite the progress made by destination countries to limit the abuses and violations registered under the Kafala system, there still are many problems faced by migrant workers:

  • the imbalance in power relations between the kafeel and the worker has consequences for the migrant worker;
  • In the case of exploitation and abuse of migrant workers, the Kafala system offers very few resources of redress for the violation of migrant workers’ rights;
  • the restrictions of the Kafala system create irregular situations in both employment and immigration status for migrant workers.