As the United States and Israel intensify their military operations against Iran, the ripple effects of the conflict extend far beyond the immediate battlefield, reaching the homes of millions of South Asian migrant workers in the Gulf region. The tragic story of Kuna Khuntia, who suffered a heart attack amid the chaos, highlights the dire consequences for these individuals caught in the crossfire. For families dependent on remittances from abroad, a single phone call can transform hope into devastation, underscoring the fragility of their existence in a volatile environment.
A week into the United States-Israeli military campaign against Iran, an alarming sequence of events has unfolded that affects countless families. Jaya Khuntia, from Naikanipalli village in India’s eastern Odisha state, was speaking with his son, Kuna Khuntia, who had moved to Doha, Qatar, just months earlier. The conversation on March 6, around 10 p.m., was initially reassuring. “He told me, ‘I am safe here, don’t worry,’” Jaya reflected. Tragically, this was the last time they would communicate.
The following day, a devastating call from Kuna’s roommate shattered the family’s peace. Kuna suffered a heart attack, reportedly triggered by the sounds of missile interceptors nearby, collapsing before being pronounced dead. He was only 25 years old and had been working as a pipe fitter in Doha, sending portions of his earnings home each month to support his family.
Although the specific cause of Kuna’s death remains unverified, his story is emblematic of the countless lives across South Asia affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Among the eight individuals killed in the United Arab Emirates during Iranian attacks were two Emirati military personnel and a Palestinian civilian, along with several South Asians: three from Pakistan and one each from Bangladesh and Nepal, as well as an Indian national and a Bangladeshi who lost their lives in Saudi Arabia.
The presence of nearly 21 million migrant workers from South Asia in the Gulf, constituting one-third of the total regional population, highlights the stakes for their families back home. These workers are indispensable to the infrastructure and economy of the Gulf states, yet, as the hostilities escalate, they find themselves increasingly vulnerable.
The Khuntia family, already grappling with significant financial burdens, had taken on a 300,000-rupee (,200) debt for their daughters’ marriages. Kuna’s income, approximately 35,000 rupees (2), was a crucial lifeline in their efforts to repay this loan, with 15,000 rupees (4) sent back home monthly. Jaya lamented, “We thought our suffering was finally ending. He was our only hope… our everything.” With that hope now extinguished, Jaya reflected on his family’s loss, stating, “That one call finished us… Losing our only son is the biggest debt we have to live with.”
The situation for South Asian migrant workers in the Gulf—encompassing countries including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE—has been dire since the commencement of hostilities. These six nations are home to 35 million foreign nationals, predominantly employed in blue-collar jobs that support the region’s economic backbone. However, amidst the ongoing conflict, many of these workers face significant risks, as vital sectors such as oil refineries and construction sites become prime targets for attacks.
Hamza, a Pakistani laborer at an oil storage facility in the UAE, recounted a harrowing experience of witnessing a drone strike at his workplace. “Most of us there are from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. We could have been killed,” he said. Despite the danger, leaving is not an option for many migrant workers. With families relying on their income for survival, Hamza candidly declared, “We want to go back, but we can’t. If we stop working, they will have nothing to eat.”
Experts underscore that the economic necessity for these workers often outweighs their safety concerns. As noted by Imran Khan, a migration economics faculty member at New Delhi Institute of Management, many are motivated by desperation due to poverty and limited employment opportunities in their home countries. The consequences of the current conflict may extend well beyond immediate danger, disrupting remittance flows that are vital to the economies of countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
The financial impact of diminishing remittances from the Gulf, which totaled 3 billion in recent years, could have severe implications. For instance, India alone received about billion in remittances from the region, while Pakistan and Bangladesh received .3 billion and .5 billion, respectively. “Remittances are a critical pillar for Pakistan and other South Asian economies, and a large share comes from Middle Eastern countries,” said Faisal Abbas, an international economics expert.
With fears of layoffs and economic contraction looming, many workers are reconsidering their futures in the Gulf. Migrant laborers like Noor, from Bangladesh, express concerns over safety, stating their intention to return home after witnessing dangerous attacks. Despite the potential for increased economic hardship back home, Noor emphasized the importance of being with his family, asserting, “I would rather go back and struggle to survive with my family than live here in constant fear.”
The heartbreaking stories of families like the Khuntias reflect a broader reality—one where the pursuit of better opportunities can lead to unforeseen tragedies in the context of global conflicts.
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