India, Oct. 23 -- For more than seven decades, the Kafala system governed the lives of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia-often in silence, often in suffering. From the moment a worker stepped onto Saudi soil, their life was tethered to their sponsor. Their ability to switch jobs, leave the country, or even file a complaint depended entirely on one person, the kafeel, or employer.

In a landmark reform announced in June 2025, Saudi Arabia declared the abolition of the Kafala system, marking a historic shift in how the kingdom treats the millions of foreign workers who help power its economy. The change is expected to directly affect more than 13 million migrants, including over 2.6 million Indian nationals, according to India's Ministry of E...