Bangladeshi migrants trapped in Gulf hell: HRW
Thousands of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Gulf countries are facing growing threats to their safety, livelihoods and basic rights as the ongoing Middle East conflict disrupts daily life and economic stability, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Wednesday.
In a new report, the international rights organisation highlighted the impact of the crisis on migrant workers across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, where many Bangladeshis are employed in essential service sectors.
Despite heightened risks, Bangladeshi workers continue to perform frontline roles, including delivering food and water, providing healthcare support and maintaining infrastructure.
However, many are struggling with falling incomes, rising living costs and growing uncertainty over their employment.
“Millions of migrant workers employed across Gulf countries are navigating threats to their physical safety and job security amid the conflict,” said Michael Page, Deputy Middle East and North Africa Director at Human Rights Watch.
He noted that the conflict has exposed long-standing labour rights concerns, including vulnerabilities linked to the kafala (sponsorship) system, which governs migrant employment in several Gulf states.
Bangladesh, which relies heavily on remittances from overseas workers, remains particularly vulnerable to prolonged disruptions in employment and income in the Gulf, as millions of families depend on remittance inflows for their livelihoods.
The report documented several incidents involving Bangladeshi nationals affected by conflict-related violence. In one case, a Bangladeshi driver was killed in Ajman in the United Arab Emirates after debris struck his water tanker, while another worker died in Bahrain after being hit by shrapnel while finishing his shift.
Family members told researchers that such incidents highlight the risks faced by migrant workers who often have limited control over their working and living conditions.
Workers interviewed in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates described an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, with many continuing to work despite security concerns in order to support families back home.
Economic pressures have also intensified, with some workers reporting sharp declines in earnings due to reduced business activity and lower demand for services. Rising food prices and living costs have further strained already limited incomes, forcing some migrants to borrow money or cut back on basic necessities.
In sectors such as hospitality and transport, workers said companies have introduced unpaid leave, reduced wages and staff cuts, increasing job insecurity. Some employees reported heavier workloads as companies reduced workforce numbers to manage operational costs.
Travel restrictions and high airfares have made it difficult for workers to return home, even when employment conditions deteriorate or safety concerns increase, according to the report.
Human Rights Watch urged Gulf governments to take immediate steps to protect migrant workers by ensuring access to adequate income support, affordable food and housing, and safe return options for those wishing to leave.
The organisation also called for structural reforms, including enforcement of employment contracts, fair wages, access to social protection and mandatory life insurance to ensure compensation for families in the event of worker deaths.
Under international human rights standards, governments are expected to ensure that all workers, including migrants, are able to maintain an adequate standard of living even during periods of crisis.
For Bangladesh, the situation presents both humanitarian and economic challenges.
With millions of citizens working in the Gulf region, Dhaka is likely to intensify diplomatic engagement with host countries to ensure worker protection while also preparing for potential disruptions to remittance flows.
