HALF a million Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia are not covered by the abolition of the Kafala, a system that ties workers to their employers or sponsors.
The abolition of the Kafala syatem was implemented by the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development on March 14, 2021.
According to recruitment consultant and migration expert Emmanuel Geslani, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who are classified as Household Service Workers (HSW) are not covered by the liberating measures accorded to skilled workers.
He said domestic workers—including HSWs, drivers, gardeners and other categories under the classification of the POEA —are vulnerable to abuse and mistreatment by their sponsors in the households of these employers.
The Philippines has urged Middle East countries of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to include Filipino domestic workers and HSW in the abolition of Kafala scheme.
In Saudi Arabia alone, an estimated 500,000 are Filipino domestic workers; while in Kuwait, over 250,000 Filipinos are classified as domestic workers within Kuwaiti households.
Under the Kafala system, domestic workers cannot change employers or leave the country despite the termination of their contract unless an “exit visa” is given by their sponsor.
However, Geslani said this has been abused by Arab sponsors who refused to issue the exit visas unless payment is made by our embassy for up to $5,000 for each HSW.
This amount is applied in cases where the OFW has asked the Philippine embassy for help to adjudicate her case with her sponsor.
Only skilled workers are allowed the liberty offered by Kafala, under the new system.
They can change employers or leave Saudi Arabia without the need of an exit visa from their employer.
Image credits: AP/Amr Nabil
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