SEVERAL local labor groups have renewed calls on government authorities for the abolition of the employment practice known as Kafala and have been used in many Middle Eastern countries to exploit Filipino migrant workers.
The call comes as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) seek to take advantage of the relaxation of coronavirus pandemic restrictions around the world and look for better employment opportunities overseas.
Of late, however, many OFWs in the Middle East have been experiencing grave abuse through the Kafala system which involves the migrant worker having an in-country sponsor, usually their employer, who is responsible for their visa and legal status.
According to the Nagkaisa labor coalition, the system has led to widespread abuses and violation of workers’ rights by sponsors, especially based on race and gender.
“We need to abolish this system because this is oppressive to our labor force,” coalition chairman Sonny Matula pointed out even as he noted that those victimized suffered gender and racial discrimination yet continue to work because they need to work to live.
“Employers, especially those in some conservative Muslim states, believe that their employees can be treated like slaves because they want to maximize their money’s worth. Many of our workers endure maltreatment because of their family. Their employers instill in their minds that they owe them for the opportunity to work abroad to earn a living for their family. But this is wrong . . . so wrong,” he added.
Matula, who is also running for a senatorial seat in the upcoming polls on May 9, further noted that domestic workers are especially vulnerable to abuses because they are generally excluded from labor protection laws.
Saying that the next Philippine president must prioritize having the Kafala system abolished, the labor leader stressed that it was highly necessary for our government to have a clear platform on how to protect the rights of our OFWs.
