Full Breakdown
Migrant Workers Caught in the Iran-Israel Conflict: Lives, Livelihoods, and Economic Strain
5/4/2026, 1:01:56 PM
War-Driven Casualties and Risks for Migrant Workers
After the United States and Israel went to war with Iran in February, Iran and allied armed groups launched waves of missile and drone strikes across the Middle East. At least 24 foreign workers in the Gulf and four in Israel, including eight mariners, were killed, mostly migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and the Philippines in construction and services. Bangladeshi laborer Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun was killed by a missile at his Saudi camp on March 8, highlighting the heightened danger for migrant workers.
Data & Statistics
The Coalition for Labour Justice for Migrants in the Gulf reports 24 workers killed in the Gulf, four in Israel and eight mariners at sea. Gulf remittances equal about 1 % of India’s GDP, 3-5 % of Bangladesh and Pakistan, and nearly 10 % of Nepal’s GDP. A Bangladeshi earns under $400 a month and sends two-thirds home; an Egyptian taxi driver’s earnings fell from $3,000 to about $1,000.
On the Ground: Workers’ Voices
Maruf Hasain said his sibling never imagined a missile would hit him. A 27-year-old Bangladeshi laborer in Qatar said, “We have no choice but to keep working.” Jeremiah Supan kept caring for the elderly, noting, “I know that in the blink of an eye, one can die. But what life shall we return to?”
Criticism of Employer Practices
The coalition warns employers are using the conflict to withhold wages, deny leave and dismiss workers arbitrarily. Activists say pre-2022 World Cup reforms—dismantling the kafala system—remain inadequate, leaving migrants with few legal recourse.
Why It Matters: Economic Ripple Effects
The war threatens Gulf export capacity and delays repairs to facilities, jeopardizing projects that rely on migrant labor. Iran’s blockage of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed global fuel prices higher, deepening the economic strain on Asian importers. Home countries face strained household incomes as remittances become essential for buying imported fuel and food, increasing poverty risks for families dependent on overseas earnings.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Casualty figures rely on advocacy group tallies; independent verification is limited, leaving the death toll uncertain. Data on migrants displaced or unable to return home is lacking.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We don’t know what we will do next,” — Sadia Islam Sarmin, widow
- “It’s a very precarious situation for migrant workers,” — Udaya Wagle, labor-migration scholar
- “He never imagined he would be hurt. That a missile would fall on him,” — Maruf Hasain, brother
- “I know that in the blink of an eye, one can die,” — Jeremiah Supan, Filipino caregiver
What’s Next
Ceasefire talks continue amid stalls, while Gulf states face labor shortages and pressure to strengthen worker protections. Sending countries monitor security and weigh the cost of keeping citizens abroad against the risk of returning home.