Closely linked with the Bedouin people - which were renowned for their hospitality - the Kafala system emerged in the 1950s as the economy of newly oil rich Arab states boomed. In most cases and destination countries the sponsorship system migration to the Gulf Coordination Council as well as Lebanon and Jordan is limited to the Kafala system.
In the Kafala system instead of dealing with government authorities and agencies, workers are tied to their employers for immensely important issues related to status of migrants, returning to one's parent country and seeking redress for injustice that may occur during the employment of a particular migrant worker. The Kafala system is usually associated with rights abuse as well as discrimination based on race and gender.