Abstract
This paper provides an overview of the kafala or sponsorship system, and explains the role the sponsor (kafeel) assumes in the legal and economic responsibilities for the migrant worker for the contract period. The paper then assesses the initiatives undertaken to reform it in the Gulf Cooperation Council states, as well as in Jordan and Lebanon. An analysis of the previous attempts to reform the system shows that the results have been very limited to date. The paper goes on to examine reasons behind the lack of real reform, and ends with policy recommendations for an alternative to the system.
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