Migrant workers and xenophobia in the Middle East

This paper analyses trends in migration to oil rich and other labour receiving countries in the Middle East, as well as discussing causes, patterns and cases of labour-related xenophobia throughout the region.

Highlights of the paper include:

• the major influx of foreign workers into the Middle East began following the oil price boom in 1973, which resulted in an enormous surge of wealth for the Arab Gulf states
• both skilled and unskilled workers from other Arab countries and from Asia (particularly India and Pakistan) almost doubled the populations of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait within the decade between 1975 and 1985
• unlike the Arab sending countries, Asian governments pursued active policies for overseas employment, partly to alleviate unemployment and partly to generate foreign income
• temporary foreign contract employees are the preferred migrants to Middle Eastern countries, as there are no expectations of permanent settlement or citizenship rights
• the structural employment arrangements, including the threat of violence, restriction of movement and exploitative employment conditions, have led to significantly widespread abuse of Asian women, who constitute a particularly vulnerable group
• xenophobic labour-related dimensions are evident in the preference of temporary contract labour that excludes possibilities of citizenship, the preferential treatment that is usually given to nationals, and the attitude of disdain toward those who are visibly different (particularly Asians) is observed in public places such as supermarkets, airports and government offices.

[adapted from author]