The Kafala system needs to be improved. Many aspects of this system need to be updated for the well-being of the immigrants. One side is how the migrant workers are treated. First is how the employers get away with things against human rights. Also, some of the Philippines’ economy has depended on this system, leading to more exploitation. The living conditions of the immigrant workers need to be better. Because, at the end of the day, they are still human.
The Kafala system is a network between migrant workers and employers in the UAE and other countries. There is also governmental involvement that is in the system. A lot of money circulates this system, so it cannot be dismantled completely. The workers in this system need the money to help their families back in their native country. It also helps the economy of their native countries so much that there are classes to teach people how to become better workers. There are ways to fix the problems without destroying the system.
One point to start with is how the workers are treated. Most of these workers live in the house with their employers. The experiences of these people are different across the spectrum. Some are treated well by their employers, while others are treated inhumanely. This aspect of the system can be improved by not having the restriction of having the employees be so closely tied to the employer. Like needing a pass to be able to travel freely in the city. This could allow the locals to see the immigrants as people and not just extensions of the employer. Also, a government employee should go around to ensure workers are getting paid. If the employee is staying in the house and they are an “around the clock” work. Food shouldn’t be used as a disciplinary item. The government needs to have concrete rules that have officers to make sure everything is up to date. So, they can ensure that these workers are treated like human beings. Also, the workers need to be able to change jobs without that much backlash. There can still be a sponsorship if the employee finds a better job for better pay. They should be able to make it more of a free job market. That way, the immigrants can also help the countries they work in by pouring money back into that economy.
Another aspect that should be improved is the employer side. The employer side should receive harsher punishments for inhumane practices. A stronger government regulation will help improve the system overall. Having a more drastic punishment will act as a fear deterrent for others. Also, it keeps the employer in check by ensuring they pay their workers. Also, a class to teach these employers something about their employees. That way, they can see them as people instead of just infantilizing them.
The third aspect of the system that can be improved is the Philippine side of things. With the class that teaches them how to assimilate better into the country they are going into. They also should teach them that they don’t need to take extreme types of abuse. Another thing this agency can do is make it easier for the immigrants to quit their jobs. There can also be a fund for people who send money back, which goes where it needs to go. In my experience, my mom would send money back, and it wouldn’t get to the person it needed to get and ended up getting “lost.”
These fixes are obviously going only partially to solve the problem with the Kafala system. But a strong government agency protects the workers before the employer. It will improve the overall satisfaction and safety of everybody involved.