Contract Labour Migration to the Middle East

Labour migration from Asia to the Middle East developed rapidly after the oil price rise of 1973. Labour was
imported by oil-rich countries from India and Pakistan, then from the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Korea,
and later from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. In the 1970s, most migrants were male workers employed as manual
workers in the many construction projects. Governments of sending countries like India, Pakistan and the
Philippines actively marketed their labour abroad, and made labour-supply agreements with Gulf countries.
Korean construction companies were encouraged to take on contracts in the Arab region, which included
provison of labour. The Asian labour-sending countries also allowed private agencies to organize recruitment
(Abella, 1995). By 1985, there were 3.2 million Asian workers in the Gulf states, but the Iraqui invasion of Kuwait
and the Gulf War in 1990-1991 led to the forced return of some 450,000 Asians to their countries of origin.
The temporary decline of the construction sector after 1985 encouraged more diverse employment of
contract workers, particularly a shift into services. There was an upsurge in demand for domestic workers,
nurses, sales staff and other service personnel, leading toa marked feminization of migrant labour flows, with Sri
Lanka and Indonesia as the main sources. In later years, other countries in the Middle East- LebanonJordan and
Israel- also became labour-importing countries (Asis 2008).
Women domestic workers are highly vulnerable to exploitation and sexual abuse, and it is difficult for
authorities of their countries of origin to provide protection (Gamburd, 2005). Asian migration to the Middle East
has become more differentiated over time. While many migrants remain low-skilled labourers, others have
semi-skilled jobs as drivers, mechanics or building tradesmen. Others came with professional or
para-professional qualifications (engineers, nurses and medical practitioners).
Many managerial and technical posts are filled by Asians, although sometimes they come second in job
hierarchies to senior personnel recruited in Europe or North America. In many cases, Asian labour migrants
were not part of the unemployed rural and urban poor at home, but people with above-average education,
whose departure could have a negative effect on the economy (Skeldon, 1992:38).
Asians in Arab countries encounter difficult conditions, due to both to the lack of worker rights and the very
different cultural values. Workers are not allowed to settle or bring in dependants, and are often segregated in
barracks. Employers may retain migrant passports and sometime trade (illegally) in work visas. Migrants can be
deported for misconduct and often have to work very long hours. Many migrant workers are exploited by agents
and brokers, who take large fees (up to 25 per cent of wages) and often fail to provide the jobs and conditions
promised.
(The Age of Migration pp.130-132)

Contract Labour Migration to the Middle East

Labour migration from Asia to the Middle East developed rapidly after the oil price rise of 1973. Labour was
imported by oil-rich countries from India and Pakistan, then from the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Korea,
and later from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. In the 1970s, most migrants were male workers employed as manual
workers in the many construction projects. Governments of sending countries like India, Pakistan and the
Philippines actively marketed their labour abroad, and made labour-supply agreements with Gulf countries.
Korean construction companies were encouraged to take on contracts in the Arab region, which included
provison of labour. The Asian labour-sending countries also allowed private agencies to organize recruitment
(Abella, 1995). By 1985, there were 3.2 million Asian workers in the Gulf states, but the Iraqui invasion of Kuwait
and the Gulf War in 1990-1991 led to the forced return of some 450,000 Asians to their countries of origin.
The temporary decline of the construction sector after 1985 encouraged more diverse employment of
contract workers, particularly a shift into services. There was an upsurge in demand for domestic workers,
nurses, sales staff and other service personnel, leading toa marked feminization of migrant labour flows, with Sri
Lanka and Indonesia as the main sources. In later years, other countries in the Middle East- LebanonJordan and
Israel- also became labour-importing countries (Asis 2008).
Women domestic workers are highly vulnerable to exploitation and sexual abuse, and it is difficult for
authorities of their countries of origin to provide protection (Gamburd, 2005). Asian migration to the Middle East
has become more differentiated over time. While many migrants remain low-skilled labourers, others have
semi-skilled jobs as drivers, mechanics or building tradesmen. Others came with professional or
para-professional qualifications (engineers, nurses and medical practitioners).
Many managerial and technical posts are filled by Asians, although sometimes they come second in job
hierarchies to senior personnel recruited in Europe or North America. In many cases, Asian labour migrants
were not part of the unemployed rural and urban poor at home, but people with above-average education,
whose departure could have a negative effect on the economy (Skeldon, 1992:38).
Asians in Arab countries encounter difficult conditions, due to both to the lack of worker rights and the very
different cultural values. Workers are not allowed to settle or bring in dependants, and are often segregated in
barracks. Employers may retain migrant passports and sometime trade (illegally) in work visas. Migrants can be
deported for misconduct and often have to work very long hours. Many migrant workers are exploited by agents
and brokers, who take large fees (up to 25 per cent of wages) and often fail to provide the jobs and conditions
promised.
(The Age of Migration pp.130-132)