The Ruling on Taking a Monthly Amount from Sponsored Workers

Question:
This questioner, As'ad, says: I have workers under my sponsorship (kafalah) for several years, and I take a sum of money from each worker every month. This is by agreement between us, and they work on their own account. We have a written agreement on paper, and they are content with this contract. Is this forbidden or permissible, given that they are hired workers?

Answer:
This depends on the labor system, the recruitment system. It has a specific system, and as far as I know, it does not allow a person to recruit people for work unless he has work to occupy them in. As for trading in them, exploiting them, renting them out to people, and taking money from them, this, as far as I know, violates the system. Also, a decision was issued by the Council of Senior Scholars prohibiting this a long time ago. But, unfortunately, many people are only concerned with gathering wealth without looking at the validity of the method they are using.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good and bless you.