DEPENDNCE ON

FOREIGN LABOUR
THE KAFFALA SPONSORSHIP SYSTEM
 Table of Contents
Title Slide Number
Introduction 3
Causes of the Problem 4
Solution 1 5
Solution 2 6
Conclusion 7
References 8

2
 Introduction
• Kafala Sponsorship System – introduced in 1971. (Al, 2017)

• Allows nationals, expatriates, and companies to hire migrant workers.

• In 2015 - UAE’s 89% population – 9.3 million migrant workers. (Hassan, 2011)

• Millions of migrant workers - beneficiaries are the Emiratis.

• Average annual income of a migrant worker was $4,355.

3
 Causes of the Problem:
• Migrant workers have no residency rights.
• They work on short-term contracts (up to 3
years) (Hassan, 2011)
• Availability of 1% national labor force in
the private sector
• National labor - lack of appropriate skills
• UAE nationals - Perceived as incompetent,
lazy, and dependent.
4
 Solution 1:
• Indigenous participation in the workforce

• Reduction of overdependence on foreign

workers (Qadri & Qadri, 2020)

• Increasing numbers of Emiratis would become

employees
5
 Solution 2:
• UAE government recognizes gaps in implementation of labor
laws

• Reformation of laws – Addressing concerns of those who

condemn the Kafala system. (Al, 2017)

• Customary practice under the Kafala system – Withholding

of passports

• Kafala system exposes migrant workers to abuse in many 6

forms
 Conclusion:

• Immigration - primary driver of population growth in the UAE.

• Kafala System – Exposing of migrant workers to abuse.

• Emirati professionals face constraints in all public, and private sectors.

• Reformation of laws and the implementation of labor laws

• Reduction of dependency on foreign labor. 7

 References:
• Al, A. (2017, March 2). Labor Migration in the United Arab Emirates: Challenges and
Responses. Migrationpolicy.org. https://
www.migrationpolicy.org/article/labor-migration-united-arab-emirates-challenges-and-responses

• Hassan, R. (2011, June 25). Why migrant-dominated UAE’s exclusionary nationalisation model
is unsustainable. Scroll.in. https://
scroll.in/article/876826/why-migrant-dominated-uaes-exclusionary-nationalisation-model-is-uns
ustainable

• Qadri, M., & Qadri, M. (2020, July 7). The UAE’s Kafala System: Harmless or Human
Trafficking? - Dubai’s Role in Facilitating Corruption and Global Illicit Financial Flows. 8

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. https://

carnegieendowment.org/2020/07/07/uae-s-kafala-system-harmless-or-human-trafficking-pub-821