AGIMAT Party-list Representative Bryan Revilla, Chairperson of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, welcomed the abolition of Saudi Arabia’s Kafala system, calling it a “long overdue reform” and a “major victory for migrant workers.” He, however, underscored the need for continued vigilance and proactive diplomacy to ensure the reform translates into real protection for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Under the Kafala system, a foreign worker’s residency and employment were tied to a private sponsor, preventing job changes or exit without employer consent. The new contract-based model allows greater freedom of mobility, access to legal protections, and alignment with international labor standards.
“While the Kafala system has been formally abolished as a legal framework in Saudi Arabia, it remains important to examine its enduring cultural and social effects. Legal reforms are a significant step forward, but fostering a genuine shift in perspectives and practices toward migrant workersis an ongoing process,” the lawmaker said.
Citing 2023 Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data showing that Saudi Arabia remains the number one destination for Overseas Filipino Workers, Rep. Bryan Revilla emphasized that the new policy will affect hundreds of thousands of Filipinos.
The Agimat Partylist Representative urged the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to closely monitor the implementation of the new policy on the ground to prevent gaps that may still lead to abuse, coercion, or denial of workers’ rights.
“ Isa itong malaking hakbang tungo sa higit na kaligtasan at kapanatagan ng ating mga OFW. Dahil binubuksan nito ang pagkakataon na baguhin ang takbo ng kanilang mga buhay, tungkulin nating tiyakin na ang mga repormang ito ay hindi lamang nananatili sa papel. Kailangan itong sabayan ng masinsinang pagmamatyag, pagtutok, at matatag na koordinasyon sa pagitan ng DMW at OWWA, upang tunay na maramdaman ng bawat manggagawa ang pagbabago sa kanilang araw-araw na buhay,” he remarked.
Revilla said this shift gives the Philippines leverage to encourage other Gulf countries with similar sponsorship systems to pursue the same reforms, stressing the need for the DMW and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to strengthen bilateral negotiations and push for better labor protection standards across the region.
“Kung kumikita ka nang maayos, bakit ka aalis? Kadalasan, umaalis ang manggagawa dahil sa abusadong o mapagsamantalang employer. Kaya matagal nang dapat mawala ang sistemang nagkukulong sa kanila sa ganoong kalagayan,” he said.
The legislator, however, cautioned that legal reform alone will not be enough to undo decades of exploitation, stressing that cultural change and vigilant enforcement are just as vital to protect the country’s modern-day heroes.
“Ang tunay na laban ay hindi nagtatapos sa pagpapatupad ng bagong batas, kundi nasa pagbabago ng pananaw at pag-uugali ng lipunan – lalo na sa mga lugar na matagal nang nakasanayan ang ganitong sistema”, he added.
To turn reform into real protection, Rep. Bryan Revilla is calling for tighter DMW–OWWA coordination on emergency protection and repatriation, legal aid and hotlines, pre-departure and post-arrival orientation, and adequate budget support aligned with on-the-ground realities.
He cited a recent case where his office helped secure the immediate repatriation of a distressed OFW in Saudi Arabia in coordination with the DMW and concerned agencies.
“Nakakadurog ng puso kapag may mga kababayan tayong napapahamak sa kabila ng kanilang pagsisikap na maghanapbuhay sa ibang bansa,” he said.
“Kaya’t patuloy nating palalakasin ang ating mga mekanismo para matiyak na sa oras ng panganib, agad silang matutulungan at mapapauwi. Ang bawat OFW ay may karapatang makauwi agad sa oras ng panganib, makausap ang kanilang pamilya, at maramdaman na may gobyernong handang kumilos. Hindi lang ito isang kaso – paalala ito na bawat OFW ay may kuwento, pamilya, at pangarap na dapat nating ingatan.”
“Sa mas matibay na pakikipagtulungan sa DMW at DFA, masisiguro natin na ang makasaysayang pagbabagong ito sa Saudi Arabia ay magiging simula ng mas makatao at makatarungang trato sa mga manggagawa sa buong rehiyon. Tuloy ang serbisyo at aksyon para sa mga bagong bayani ng ating bansa,” Rep. Bryan Revilla concluded.
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