Geneva (AFP) - Three UN special rapporteurs on Wednesday urged Saudi Arabia, host of the 2034 World Cup, to dismantle the "kafala" system, which limits the rights of migrant workers.

First modification: 05/01/2026 - 12:55

"Looking ahead to 2034, as international attention increases, ensuring the protection, dignity and rights of migrant workers is essential — not only for the success of the World Cup, but also for the credibility of the broader development project promoted by Saudi Arabia," these experts declared in a statement.

The rapporteurs, who have a mandate from the Human Rights Council, but do not speak on behalf of the UN, emphasize that, despite the labor law reform undertaken in 2021 by Saudi Arabia, they continue to receive information "of abuses and exploitation of the approximately 16 million migrant workers in the country", some of whom have died "in dark circumstances and without anyone being held accountable."

Riyadh rejects these accusations.

These experts denounce that "kafala", widespread in Middle Eastern countries, gives employers total control over the legal status, right of residence and movements of migrant workers, leaving them in a kind of "modern slavery."

Qatar was already heavily criticized for this very reason before organizing the 2022 World Cup, until it carried out reforms.

© 2026 AFP

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