Gulf governments urged to protect migrant workers during COVID-19 pandemic

BWI, together with a coalition of trade unions and civil society organizations, asked the Arab states of the Persian Gulf for their strong commitment to provide adequate protection and support to migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The region is highly dependent on migrant labour for its workforce, the vast majority of whom come from poor communities in South Asia, South-East Asia and East Africa that rely heavily on remittances. 

Included in the groups’ letters to the governments of Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are several policy proposals to ensure that the rights and welfare of migrant workers are protected. Some of these are: access to testing, medical treatment, protective equipment and basic provisions, stronger partnerships with national and sectoral unions, public information addressing discrimination against migrant workers and job, income and healthcare security.

Read the full content of the letters below:

Letter to Bahrain

Letter to Saudi Arabia

Letter to Oman

Letter to Kuwait

Letter to United Arab Emirates

Letter to Qatar