Modern day slavery

Arab Times today has this wee gem reproduced below.

Expatriates bondsmen: ILO; End sponsorship system soon, GCC warned

KUWAIT CITY: The International Labor Organization (ILO) has criticized GCC countries for their sponsorship system and is planning to come up with an alternative procedure for the recruitment of expatriate workers, says Al-Rai. ILO described the sponsorship system as “an old model from the era of slavery,” saying “this allows sponsors to control their expatriate workers.” A reliable source said the existing sponsorship system has many negative points which make GCC countries a target of ILO’s criticisms, adding “although ILO has repeatedly asked GCC countries to change this system the latter have been remaining silent on this issue.” ILO has warned GCC states that the current system violates the rights of expatriate workers and leads to “Iqama trafficking” where expatriates are forced to buy residence permits to get jobs, he noted.

The source also said “ILO feels the sponsorship system is affecting the economy of GCC states by doubling the number of unwanted expatriate labourers who enter the job market by purchasing residence permits.” Claiming ILO has warned GCC countries that their membership in the organization will be suspended if they do not scrap the sponsorship system, the source said “the international organization has also cautioned GCC states that they will be placed in the list of countries which violate International Labor Law in the next ILO meeting scheduled to be held in Geneva in June 2008.”

Yes, the sponsorship system is "an old model from the era of slavery", but that's because slavery in everything but name still exists. Good to see that the ILO is getting a little closer to calling a 'spade' a spade.

Anyways, must toodle doo and buy me a maid...