UN Experts Call on Saudi Arabia to Scrap Kafala System Before 2034 World Cup

Three United Nations human rights experts urged Saudi Arabia to dismantle the Kafala sponsorship system as the kingdom prepares to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. They warned that 16 million migrant workers continue to face abuse and exploitation, despite labor reforms announced in 2021. The experts highlighted that practices such as wage theft and workplace violence persist, and access to justice remains a major concern for workers facing abuse.