Stories

Tue, 31 Mar 2026

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 Asia's migrant workers debate if Gulf jobs are worth deadly risk of Iran war

Iran's strikes on Gulf states have been especially hard for migrants who have long supported these economies to lift their families back home from poverty.

* Norma Tactacon, a 49-year-old domestic worker from the Philippines, is stuck in Qatar due to the war between Iran and US/Israel.
* She earns $500 per month, four times more than what she would make back home, but is worried about her family's safety.
* The war has made life uncertain for millions of migrant workers in the Middle East, including domestic helpers, construction workers, and caregivers.
* At least 12 South Asian migrant workers have died so far as a result of the conflict, with many more injured or stranded.
* Governments in Asia are scrambling to bring migrant workers home, but travel disruptions and security concerns make it difficult.
* Remittances from migrant workers are crucial for economies such as the Philippines and Bangladesh.
* Some migrants, like Su Su from Myanmar, have found safe haven in Dubai but still live with the threat of war.
* The conflict has disrupted markets and economies worldwide, with no clear end in sight.