The Saudi government has announced the end of its Kafala system, a decades-old labor framework that bound migrant workers to their employers. This significant reform, slated for implementation in June 2025, will grant an estimated 13 million foreign workers greater freedom. The ability to change jobs and exit the country without sponsor consent marks a crucial step toward improved worker rights and increased mobility within the Kingdom.
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To address a severe labor shortage exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and declining birth rates, Russia has reportedly received approximately 15,000 North Korean workers. These workers, many entering on student visas, are primarily employed in Russia’s Far East, valued for their willingness to accept low wages and long hours. This influx violates UN Security Council resolutions prohibiting the use of North Korean migrant labor, highlighting the deepening economic ties between Russia and North Korea. The deployment further underscores the significant impact of the Ukraine conflict on Russia’s workforce.
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Over 21,000 migrant workers have died in eight years working on Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 project, according to an ITV documentary. Some workers have reported feeling like “trapped slaves,” citing human rights abuses such as alleged unpaid wages and illegal work hours. Human rights groups have raised concerns about exploitation of migrant workers and potential displacement of locals. The documentary highlighted the effects of long work hours, insufficient food, lack of rest, and stressful conditions on the workers’ health. ITV’s figures indicate that many of the deceased were from India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
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John Q. Hosedrinker