Asia’s migrant workers debate if Gulf jobs are worth deadly risk of Iran war

Norma Tactacon, a 49-year-old Filipino domestic worker in Qatar, finds herself in a constant state of worry as sirens echo across the city. Thousands of miles from her family in the Philippines, she is trapped in a region caught in the crossfire of the US and Israel’s escalating conflict with Iran. Her only hope is to survive the current tensions and reunite with her husband and three children back home. “Every time I see images of missiles flying, I feel fear and anxiety,” she tells the BBC. “I need to stay alive to care for my family. I’m the sole provider for them.”

The war has turned wealthy Gulf nations into focal points of danger, drawing Iranian strikes targeting US military bases. As a result, expatriates have fled in droves, while tourists have avoided the area. But for millions of migrant workers, the uncertainty has been even more profound. From caregivers to construction laborers, these individuals have long fueled the economies of the region, enabling their families to escape poverty. Tactacon, for instance, has spent over two decades working as a maid in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE to fund her son’s police academy education and her daughters’ aspirations as nurses. Her decision to stay is driven by the generous wages she earns—$500 a month, which is four to five times what she would make in the Philippines.

“I hope the world will be peaceful again and things return to normal. I pray the war will stop,” she says. “But I’m starting to question whether the risks are worth it.”

Despite her hopes, the war has cast doubt on her future. She now contemplates returning to the Philippines to start a small business with her husband. Her concerns are not unfounded. One of the first casualties of the conflict was Mary Ann Veolasquez, a 32-year-old Filipina caregiver in Israel. A ballistic missile struck her Tel Aviv apartment, injuring her while she guided her patient to safety. The Israeli embassy in Manila confirmed her death.

The ILO reports that the Gulf region is home to 24 million migrant workers, making it the world’s largest destination for overseas labor. Most of these workers originate from Asia, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Many hold low-paying or unstable jobs, often with limited access to healthcare and other benefits. So far, at least 12 South Asian workers have lost their lives in the conflict. Dibas Shrestha, a 29-year-old Nepali security guard in Abu Dhabi, was killed in an Iranian strike on 1 March. His uncle Ramesh, who had urged him to return to Nepal, recalls Shrestha’s reassurance that the situation was safe. “He said he loved his job and felt it was a good place to live,” Ramesh explains. “He had relatives working in the Gulf, and we were all worried.”

Far from the conflict zone, in Dubai, a 55-year-old Bangladeshi water tank supplier named Ahmad Ali died when debris from an intercepted missile struck him. His son, Abdul Haque, had returned to Bangladesh before the war began, but Ahmad continued sending $500 to $600 monthly back home. The tragedy occurred during Ramadan, as people broke their fast in the evening. “He didn’t know the war was happening,” Abdul says. “He didn’t read the news or own a smartphone. He liked Dubai—he thought it was welcoming.”

With travel routes disrupted by the conflict, Asian governments have struggled to repatriate workers. The last repatriation flight saw 234 Filipinos return home, highlighting the ongoing efforts to bring families back to safety. Yet, the war has shifted perspectives, forcing many to reassess their dreams of stability and security in the Gulf.