House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs Chairperson and AGIMAT party-list Representative Bryan Revilla welcomed Saudi Arabia’s move to abolish the long-criticized Kafala system, describing it as a reform that could significantly improve the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“While the Kafala system has been formally abolished as a legal framework in Saudi Arabia, it remains important to examine its enduring cultural and social effects,” Revilla said.
He emphasized that legal changes alone are not enough, saying that “fostering a genuine shift in perspectives and practices toward migrant workers is an ongoing process.”
Under the Kafala system, a migrant worker’s residency and employment were tied to a private sponsor, limiting their freedom to transfer jobs or leave the country without employer consent.
Revilla urged the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to closely monitor the implementation of these reforms to prevent loopholes that could lead to abuse.
“This is a major step toward greater safety and peace of mind for our OFWs because it opens the door to changing their lives,” he said. “Our duty is to make sure these reforms don’t just stay on paper.”
The lawmaker also underscored that the real challenge lies beyond legislation, noting that true progress depends on changing attitudes and behaviors in societies where such systems have long been entrenched. He further called for stronger coordination between DMW and OWWA to ensure swift responses to OFW concerns.
