A party-list lawmaker has welcomed Saudi Arabia’s abolition of the Kafala system, calling it a “long overdue reform” and a victory for migrant workers — but also a challenge that requires continued vigilance and diplomatic engagement.
Under the former Kafala system, a worker’s residency was tied to a sponsor, restricting job changes or exit without employer consent. AGIMAT Party-list Rep. Bryan Revilla said the shift to a contract-based model allows greater mobility and aligns with international labor standards.
Revilla, chair of the House committee on overseas workers affairs, said the reform will impact hundreds of thousands of Filipinos, as Saudi Arabia remains the top destination for overseas workers. He urged the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to closely monitor the policy’s implementation to prevent abuse.
He also called for stronger DMW–OWWA coordination to ensure reforms translate into real protection through tighter monitoring, legal aid, and repatriation support.
Revilla said the change gives the Philippines leverage to urge other Gulf countries to follow suit but warned that cultural change and firm enforcement remain essential to end decades of exploitation.
