Powering Progress: A Labour Day Tribute to Saudi Arabia's Workforce

Labour Reforms and New Freedoms

Saudi Arabia continuously overhauls its labor regulations for migrant workers. The Kingdom began easing the traditional kafala system in 2021. In 2025, Saudi Arabia officially abolished the outdated sponsorship system. A new contract-based employment model now covers 13 million migrant workers.

Workers now enjoy greater freedom to change jobs without employer consent. Real change depends entirely on the consistent enforcement of these new rules. Supporting fair workplace rules remains the best way to celebrate workers today.

...[ Continue to next page ] By: Amita Kalsi