President Duterte is the only leader in the world who confronted the controversial issue of the ‘kafala’ system “head-on” and even called for its abolition, Malacañang Chief Protocol Robert Borje said on Thursday. 

“For the president, this is an unjust system that should be abolished because it puts our overseas Filipino workers in harm's way,” Borje said during the regular Laging Handa program.

The decades-old kafala system generally binds a migrant worker to one employer and is widely criticized by various human rights groups as it makes workers vulnerable to exploitation.

As early as 2016, Borje recalled that the President has been very clear about his advocacy to look after the welfare of OFWs, many of whom have been subjected to abuse because of the kafala system. 

The Palace chief protocol revealed that the President even works “behind the scenes”, writing letters to leaders of countries in the Middle East and the Gulf states, including royalties and kings, to express his concern about the system. 

Borje credited the President for the reforms that have been going on in the Middle East, specifically in the easing of Kafala system implementation.

Bahrain, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia have already started implementing reforms such as the removal of the exit visa that would allow OFWs or all migrant workers for that matter, to leave the country without necessarily seeking the permission of their employer. 

Borje admitted that they are not expecting drastic changes to occur immediately since host countries of OFWs have challenges to consider and contend within their respective home fronts. 

He emphasized the important role of the government and most especially the President who believes that the removal of the kafala is a basic fundamental right that the administration should not ignore. 

“For the president, respect for human rights of our OFWs is non-negotiable, and for all migrants in general, whatever their status is,” he said.