GCC to study alternatives to sponsorship
Manama: A Bahraini proposal to forge a consensus among Gulf states on alternatives to the controversial sponsorship system and for imposing a residence cap on foreigners has been endorsed by the six GCC countries.
In response to the Bahraini proposal presented before GCC labour ministers at a recent meeting in Riyadh, a committee of GCC labour undersecretaries will be formed to carry out studies that will help the member states adopt similar policies.
The committee will follow up on suggestions made earlier to impose a five-year residence cap on the millions of unskilled labourers working in the Gulf countries.
.....Other issues to be investigated by the new committee include the adoption of standardised procedures for importing labour, narrowing differences in costs, and addressing obstacles facing the free movement of Gulf workers and employees in the six-nation alliance.
However, the toughest challenge for the committee will be finding 'acceptable' alternatives to kafala, the sponsorship system used as the legal basis for residency and employment.
Under the system, likened to modern slavery by Al Alawi, foreign workers are given an entry visa and a residence permit only if they have a GCC sponsor.
http://www.gulfnews.com/news/gulf/bahrain/10332953.html
when the move to eradicate sponsorship in GCC will finally come true. (Well at least during my lifetime?):)
"to impose a five-year residence cap on the millions of unskilled labourers" ... So just as you get them trained, you have to let them go.
A better idea would be to, ooh, let's see, invest in you own people first!?!?!?