The politics of 'reform' of migrant labour regulation in the Middle East

In this historical period of the “Arab Spring’, there is increasing pressure from NGOs and human rights activists not only for improving the democratic rights and conditions of citizens, but also those of non-citizens such as unskilled migrant workers, who in some Gulf countries far outnumber nationals in their populations and workforces. The paper highlights attempts at contract and legislative reform in Lebanon, Jordan, Bahrain and Qatar and looks specifically at two examples of proposed reform of the kafala migrant sponsorship system – in Lebanon with regard to female migrant domestic workers; and in Qatar with regard to male workers in the construction sector. It is argued that despite evidence of political will to introduce reforms that are consistent with international labour standards and conventions, the core elements of the kafala system remain that ensures a lack of freedom and the vulnerability of migrant workers to abuse, exploitation and trafficking.