Millions of Asian migrant workers in Gulf in danger as war with Iran rages on
Deaths or injuries of people from the Philippines, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh, who were working in the region, have been reported
Millions of migrant workers, who support some of the Middle East’s most crucial sectors, are in the line of fire as Iran retaliates against the US-Israeli strikes that killed the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader.
Southeast and South Asian nations supply a large share of the labour in the Gulf, including medical practitioners, construction workers and household help that make up a migrant workforce the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates at over 24 million.
The Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Pakistan said on Monday they are monitoring the location of their citizens and urged them to shelter in place.
Evacuation and repatriation plans are being prepared should the attacks worsen, they said in separate statements.
Vietnam temporarily suspended the deployment of workers to the Middle East, warning that tensions may persist and remain volatile.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh said its workers have been left stranded due to the closure of airspace and requested other countries to grant them entry once the situation improves.