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Migrant workers have been killed while doing their jobs, in streets, worksites, and shared accommodation across the Gulf states following Iran’s retaliatory strikes in the region.
The risk was immediate and unavoidable, with some killed by falling debris from intercepted missiles and drones.
A fragile ceasefire is currently in place, but tensions remain high following United States and Israeli attacks on Iran and Lebanon. Retaliatory strikes by Iran have hit countries across the Gulf region, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain.
Migrant workers form the backbone of Gulf economies and comprise a significant proportion of the population, especially in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Many of them work in essential roles such as driving, cleaning, and service work, and continue working despite ongoing attacks and emergency alerts.
War and instability are deepening these vulnerabilities, increasing the risk of exploitation and modern slavery for migrant workers already exposed on the frontlines of everyday work.
These risks can be reduced through inclusive emergency responses and targeted protections.
Murib Zaman, a driver in the United Arab Emirates, spent decades supporting his family in Pakistan before he was killed by falling debris from an intercepted missile.
“Every family wants to send its youth to the Middle East because there are no jobs here (in Pakistan). But now it appears that even those countries are no longer safe,” his cousin told The New York Times.
There remains a sense of fear among many people who work in the region.
An oil facility employee in the United Arab Emirates was working when a drone struck a storage unit directly in front of him.
“We were completely shaken. We couldn’t sleep for nights after that. It was so close; I thought we would be next,” he told Al Jazeera.
“Most of us are from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. We want to go back, but we can’t. Our families depend on us. If we stop working, they will have nothing to eat.”
The majority of those killed in attacks across Gulf countries are migrant workers.
This reflects both their presence in essential roles and their exposure to risk, including vulnerability to modern slavery.
Many workers want to seek safety or leave the country, but significant barriers prevent them from returning home.
Low-paid migrant workers are often unable to evacuate due to financial constraints, restrictive employment conditions, or the need to continue supporting their families.
Many are in jobs where they need to continue working during attacks, limiting their ability to prioritise safety or access shelter when alerts are issued.
Overcrowded housing and labour accommodation increase their exposure to harm, particularly where there are limited escape routes or inadequate safety measures.
Migrant workers also face challenges accessing clear information, emergency support, or safe shelter, especially those living in employer-provided housing.
Workers are often tied to employers through restrictive systems, limiting their freedom to leave unsafe conditions or seek alternative employment.
The situation in the Gulf echoes a broader pattern where conflict and instability increase risks of exploitation and weaken protections.
People living in conflict settings face increased risks of modern slavery as displacement and instability limit access to protection.
Some are targeted by traffickers while fleeing, while others face exploitation in displacement sites, including camps, where safeguards are often weak.
Armed groups and others who take advantage of these conditions coerce people into exploitation, including forced recruitment, forced marriage, and forced labour or sexual services.
Children are especially at risk, with some forced into marriage as families seek protection from violence or cope with severe economic hardship.
Immediate action is needed to ensure migrant workers are protected, included in emergency responses, and not left behind as attacks continue across the Gulf region.
Recommendations include:
Without urgent and coordinated action, migrant workers will continue to face disproportionate harm and deepening inequality.