Understanding the Kafala system - Part 1, What is Kafala?
Channel: GAATW IS
Date: 09/09/2019

The Kafala, or sponsorship, system is the immigration system governing the residence and rights of migrant workers in most countries in the Middle East. It is highly restrictive and often facilitates the exploitation and trafficking of migrant workers, especially migrant domestic workers. At the same time, there are many misconceptions about the system. To remedy this, the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women organised a webinar where Vani Saraswathi and Rima Kalush explain what exactly kafala is, and dispel some of the common myths about it.