Migrant workers from Asia face deadly risks in the Gulf amid the Iran conflict, prompting debates on whether high-paying jobs are worth the danger.
Asian migrant workers in the Gulf are debating whether to stay amid the risks posed by the Iran war, as strikes have led to deaths and evacuations. Norma Tactacon, a 49-year-old Filipina domestic worker in Qatar, expressed fear after hearing sirens and seeing missile footage, worrying about her family's future back in the Philippines.
Personal Stories of Risk and Uncertainty
Tactacon has worked in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE for decades to support her family, earning a minimum of $500 a month—far more than similar jobs in the Philippines. She hopes for peace to return but is now considering starting a business at home instead.
The conflict has claimed lives, including 32-year-old Filipina Mary Ann Veolasquez, who died in Israel after a missile strike, and 29-year-old Nepali Dibas Shrestha, a security guard in Abu Dhabi killed in an Iranian strike on March 1. At least 12 South Asian workers have died, according to reports.
The International Labour Organisation states that the region hosts 24 million migrant workers, mostly from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Indonesia, many in low-paid jobs with limited access to healthcare.
In Dubai, 55-year-old Bangladeshi Ahmad Ali died from missile debris during Ramadan, leaving his family to reflect on the region's safety. His son noted that remittances of $500 to $600 monthly were crucial for their life in Bangladesh.
Government Repatriation Efforts
Asian governments are actively repatriating workers; the Philippines has flown back nearly 2,000 citizens from the Gulf as of March 23, using longer routes due to disrupted travel. Bangladesh has repatriated about 500 workers and arranged more flights from Bahrain.
For some, like Su Su from Myanmar, leaving is not an option; she fled civil war in her home country and finds Dubai relatively calm despite the sirens, maintaining a work-from-home setup with an emergency bag ready.