Latest news & stories you might have missed

Oman’s New Domestic Workers Law

Oman recently enacted a new Domestic Workers Law, marking the first major regulation in this sector in over two decades. The law, which came into effect on 12 October 2025 under Ministerial Resolution No. 574/2025, establishes key employment conditions for domestic workers, including provisions on working hours, end-of-service benefits, weekly rest days, and annual leave. These rights were previously either entirely absent from legislation or only weakly reflected in the standard employment contract, which had limited to no binding effect.  

No, Saudi Arabia has not abolished the Kafala system 

A false news story spread rapidly through multiple media outlast week. While Saudi has made some significant changes to its labour and immigration laws, key provisions of the Kafala system remain intact.

Allegations of organ trade and illegal harvesting are rife as GCC and African states fail to conduct autopsies

Kenyan migrants are returning from Saudi Arabia, both dead and alive, with suspicious scars that may indicate organ harvesting. Under the Kafala system, migrant workers’ agency is greatly limited, and the control and consent over their bodies are poorly protected. The combination of these factors puts them at risk of various exploitative and sinister practices, including the illegal organ trade.

Kuwait Reinstates Exit Permit, Tightening the Grip of Kafala

Kuwait recently reinstated exit permit requirements for private-sector migrant workers. The move highlights how Kafala reforms can quickly be rolled back in the absence of a complete overhaul of the region’s labour migration system.

Saudi Arabia Implements Stricter Wage Protection Regulations

Saudi has rolled out new regulations whereby salary terms in employment contracts on the Qiwa platform are now legally enforceable and non-payment can trigger direct referrals to the Ministry of Justice. Meanwhile, firms failing to upload required wage protection files within 20 days will be inspected via the Mudad system. Migrant workers may still face barriers in accessing the system, such as language limitations and complex platform requirements.

Philippines increases minimum wage for domestic workers; excludes GCC

The Philippines government has increased the minimum wage for overseas Filipino domestic workers to US$500, a 25% increase from its current requirement of US$400.  However, within weeks of the decision, the Southeast Asian country–one of the largest source of domestic workers in the GCC–announced the increase would not apply to the region. 

A Brief Overview of Anti-Discrimination Regulations in Gulf Workplaces

In recent years, the GCC states’ growing acceptance of international human rights standards and collaboration with organizations like the ILO have brought greater attention to employment discrimination in the region. As a result, some states have introduced new legislation to address the issue. Others have co-opted the language of international standards and conventions into PR exercises—without following through actual reform. Despite all this, enforcement remains limited, and discrimination both against and among migrant workers remains not only widespread but codified in other parts of the law.

Kenyan recruitment to Qatar and other GCC states marred by false promises and racketeering

Kenya’s government has recently come under fire over allegations of orchestrating a job recruitment scam involving thousands of job seekers. Less scrutinised, however, is destination states’ exploitation of this desperation. The terms and conditions of a massive recruitment drive for a Qatari company, in particular, seem to flout the Gulf country’s laws prohibiting recruitment fees for migrant workers.

Oman’s Wage Protection System Struggles with Non-Compliance

Oman’s Wage Protection System (WPS), which applies to all workers in the private sector, is facing challenges due to non-compliance from employers. In response, the Ministry of Labour (MoL) has recently introduced new regulations and guidelines to address these issues.

Kuwait Issues New Immigration Law: A Brief Overview

Kuwait has enacted a new immigration law, replacing the previous law that had been in place for over six decades. While not a complete overhaul, the law introduces some notable provisions, particularly regarding domestic workers and visa trading, along with stricter penalties.

Bahrain Lawmakers' Push to Overturn Indemnity Reforms Highlights Non-Compliance

A group of Bahraini members of parliament submitted a motion to suspend the recently introduced end-of-service indemnity system, which requires private-sector employers of migrant workers to pay indemnity contributions to Bahrain’s General Authority for the Social Insurance Organisation (SIO).

Deportation Over Care: Kuwait’s Failing Mental Health and Suicide Response for Migrants

Deaths by suicide and suicide attempts are on the rise in Kuwait, with survivors being swiftly deported and blacklisted from the country. These incidents reflect a longstanding system of socio-economic exclusion that has an adverse impact on migrants’ mental and physical health. Moreover, low-income migrants are denied mental health care to cope with the uncertainties wrought by the Kafala system.

Bahrain Introduces Six-Month Work Permit for Migrant Workers Residing in Bahrain

Bahrain’s Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) has announced the introduction of six-month work permits for migrant workers already residing in Bahrain. This new permit option complements the existing one- and two-year permits, but is not available to workers newly recruited from abroad.