This is an interesting article and I do agree that in many cases, it is the fault of the greedy kafeel (sponsor). However, what no one ever answers are these two basic questions: 1. How do some kafeels have 40/80/100 or even thousands of workers in their name, when they don't even have a business? 2. Who issues these visas to so many kafeels knowing that these businesses don't actually exist? We all know the answers to these questions, but those with the authority to change the situation choose not to do so. It's another case of keeping it on the burner to give newspapers and people something to be occupied with! Jenny Rogers The problem starts when a kafeel gets 20 visas and sells them to make a profit. In Pakistan, the rate for such a visa(called a free visa) ranges from SR20,000 to SR30,000. When an expat arrives and finds a job as per his qualifications, the new employer will ask for a transfer of sponsor. At that point, the kafeel will demand more money to transfer the visa, in some cases as much as SR10,000. Now in such cases, the one who is acting illegally is not the expat but the one who sold the visa. But it is the poor expat who left his home to earn a living for his family who suffers in the end. Abu Alaa Basil The kafala (sponsorship) system is a curse and is the main source of discrimination, racism and above all injustice. It's unbelievable that in this era of enlightenment, some of the practices in the society are still based on pre-Islamic ignorance and are not based on Shariah. Humayun Khan This crackdown is nothing but one more attempt to scare expatriates. Expatriates will be scared and they will withdraw their money and will spend it on another kafeel. And then he will create problems again. The government is not issuing visas for those who need workers but easily issues dozens of visas for those who are doing nothing but engaging in the visa trade. Abbas Khan
