Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

South Asian Migration in the Gulf pp 165–189Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

South Asian Migrants and the Construction Sector of the Gulf

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

The Human Rights Watch’s report in 2012 brought world attention to labor abuse of migrant construction workers in the Gulf States. Even though the oil prices prior to 2014 are unlikely to return, thereby bringing to an end lavish construction projects, demand for foreign workers will still remain. Most migrant construction workers are from South Asia. This chapter details the labor abuse many have suffered during recruitment and employment. Loopholes in legislation and weak enforcement have perpetuated the misery of these site operatives. South Asian countries try to manage labor migration, but avoid over-regulation because of much-needed remittances. Whatever positive changes that unfold in the Gulf region will reverberate around the globe, benefiting others suffering from the same fate.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Agunias, D., Christine, A., & Battistella, G. (2011). Labour Migration from Colombo Process Countries. Good Practices, Challenges and Way Forward. Bangkok: International Organisation for Migration.

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Ali, J. (2008). Emiratisation: Drawing UAE Nationals into Their Surging Economy. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 28(9/10), 365–379.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Arrayed, A., & Hamza, A. (1995). Occupational Injuries in Bahrain. Occupational Medicine, 45(5), 231–233.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Dawood, K. M. (2000). Non-Fatal Occupational Injuries Admitted to Hospitals Among General Organisation for Social Insurance Workers in Al-Khobar City, Saudi Arabia: Experience of One year. Journal of Family and Community Medicine, 7(2), 35–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Humaidi, H. M., & Hadipriono Tan, F. (2010). Construction Safety in Kuwait. Journal of Performance and Constructed Facilities, 24(1), 70–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ali, S. (2010). Dubai: Gilded Cage. New Haven: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amnesty International. (n.d.). Qatar World Cup of Shame. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2016/03/qatar-world-cup-of-shame/

  • Andrieu, J.-B., Ucla, A., & Lee, M. (2016, July). Addressing Workers’ Rights in the Engineering and Construction Sector – Opportunities for Collaboration (Working Paper). San Francisco: Business for Social Responsibility.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atique, S., Zarour, A., Siddiqui, T., El-Menyar, A., Maull, K., Al Thani, H., & Latifi, R. (2012). Trauma Caused by Falling Objects at Construction Sites. Journal of Trauma Acute and Acute Care Surgery, 73(3), 704–708.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baruah, N. (2006). The Regulation of Recruitment Agencies: Experience and Good Practices in Countries of Origin in Asia. In C. Kuptsch (Ed.), Merchants of Labour (pp. 37–46). Geneva: International Institute for Labour Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buckley, M. (2012). From Kerala to Dubai and Back Again: Construction Migrants and the Global Economic Crisis. Geoforum, 43(2), 250–259.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buckley, M., Zendel, A., Biggar, J., Frederiksen, L., & Wells, J. (2016). Migrant Work & Employment in the Construction Sector. Geneva: ILO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bunton, J. (1979). World Markets for Construction. London: Northwood Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET). (2016). Overseas Employment & Remittances from 1976 to 2017. http://www.bmet.gov.bd/BMET/viewStatReport.action?reportnumber=17

  • Callen, T., Cherif, R., Hasanov, F., Hegazy, A., & Khandelwal, P. (2014, December). Economic Diversification in the GCC: Past, Present, and Future (IMF Staff Discussion Note, SDN/14/12). Washington, DC: International Monetary Fund.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). (2015). Modern Slavery: The Dark Side of Construction. Bracknell: CIOB.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eifert, B., Gelb, A., & Tallroth, N. B. (2003). Managing Oil Wealth. Finance and Development, 40(1). http://faculty.nps.edu/relooney/3040_c139.pdf.

  • Fargues, P. (2011). Immigration Without Inclusion: Non-Nationals in Nation-Building in the Gulf States. Asian and Pacific Migration Journal, 20(3–4), 273–292.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fass, S., Yousef, R., Liginlal, D., & Vyas, P. (2017). Understanding Causes of Fall and Struck-By Incidents: What Differentiates Construction Safety in the Arabian Gulf Region? Applied Ergonomics, 58, 515–526.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). (2013, January 7–9). Theme Paper. Paper presented at the Eleventh Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention, Engaging Diaspora: The Indian Growth Story, Kochi, Kerala.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ganji, S. K. (2016). Sporting Events, Human Rights Risk, and Worker Welfare Reform in Qatar. Journal on Migration and Human Security, 4(4), 221–259.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gause, F. G. (1994). Oil Monarchies: Domestic and Security Challenges in the Arab Gulf States. New York: Council on Foreign Relations Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gibson, O., & Pattison, P. (2014, December 23). Death Toll Among Qatar’s 2022 World Cup Workers Revealed. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/23/qatar-nepal-workers-world-cup-2022-death-toll-doha

  • Government of Nepal (GoN). (2016). Labour Migration for Employment. A Status Report for Nepal: 2014/2015. Kathmandu: GoN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grivna, M. l., Eid, H. O., & Abu-Zidan, F. M. (2015). Injuries from Falling Objects in the United Arab Emirates. International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion, 22(1), 68–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henry, C. M., & Springborg, R. (2001). Globalisation and the Politics of Economic Development in the Middle East. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Human Rights Watch. (2012). Building a Better World Cup. Protecting Migrant Workers in Qatar Ahead of FIFA 2022. New York: HRW.

    Google Scholar 

  • Human Rights Watch. (2015). Guidelines for a Better Construction Industry in the GCC: A Code of Conduct for Construction Companies. New York: HRW.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Labour Organisation (ILO). (2001). The Construction Industry in the 21st Century: Its Image, Employment Prospects and Skill Requirements. Geneva: ILO.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Labour Organisation (ILO). (2014). Fair Migration: Setting an ILO Agenda. Report of the Director-General. Geneva: ILO.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Labour Organisation (ILO). (2015a). Issues Paper: Fair Recruitment in International Labour Migration Between Asia and the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries. Realising a Fair Migration Agenda: Labour Flows Between Asia and Arab States. Bangkok: ILO.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Labour Organisation (ILO). (2015b, November). Establishing Migrant Welfare Funds in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar (Policy Brief Issue No. 3). Bangkok: ILO.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Labour Organisation (ILO). (2016a). The Cost of Migration: What Low-Skilled Migrant Workers from Pakistan Pay to Work in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Islamabad: ILO.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Labour Organisation (ILO). (2016b). Where to Go For Help: Pakistani Migrant Workers’ Access to Justice at Home and in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries. Islamabad: ILO.

    Google Scholar 

  • International Labour Organisation (ILO). (2016c, January). Promoting Effective Governance of Labour Migration from South Asia. Kathmandu: ILO.

    Google Scholar 

  • John, P. (2016, April 25). Save ‘Sufficiently’ for Future, IMF Tells GCC nations. Gulf Times. http://www.gulf-times.com/story/489993/Save-sufficiently-for-future-IMF-tells-GCC-nations

  • Kamrava, M., & Babar, Z. (2012). Situating Labor Migration in the Persian Gulf. In M. Kamrava & Z. Babar (Eds.), Migrant Labor in the Persian Gulf (pp. 1–20). New York: Columbia University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaphle, A. (2014, March 24). Nepal, Once Known for Farming, Now Exports People; Migrants Earn Big but Face Risks. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/nepal-once-known-for-farming-now-exports-people-migrants-earn-big-but-face-risks/2014/03/23/5858ca52-8441-11e3-bbe5-6a2a3141e3a9_story.html?utm_term=.c8c1c44d2bc6

  • Kapiszewski, A. (2016). Arab versus Asian Migrant Workers in the GCC countries. In P. C. Jain & G. Z. Oommen (Eds.), South Asian Migration to Gulf Countries (pp. 46–70). Abingdon: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kartam, N. A., Flood, I., & Koushki, P. (2000). Construction Safety in Kuwait: Issues, Procedures, Problems, and Recommendations. Safety Science, 36(3), 163–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kathiravelu, L. (2012). Social Networks in Dubai: Informal Solidarities in an Uncaring State. Journal of Intercultural Studies, 33(1), 103–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khan, A. (2014, February 26). Why It’s Time to End Kafala. The Guardian. http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/feb/26/time-to-end-kafala

  • Knerr, B. (1990). South Asian Countries as Competitors on the World Labour Market. In C. Clarke, C. Peach, & S. Vertovec (Eds.), South Asians Overseas: Migration and Ethnicity (pp. 173–196). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kronenfeld, D. A. (2008). Afghan Refugees in Pakistan: Not All Refugees, Not Always in Pakistan, Not Necessarily Afghan? Journal of Refugee Studies, 21(1), 43–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar, K. (2016). Indian Labour in the Gulf. Issues of Migration and the British Empire. In P. C. Jain & G. Z. Oommen (Eds.), South Asian Migration to Gulf Countries (pp. 71–92). Abingdon: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malit, T. F., & Naufal, G. (2016). Asymmmetric Information Under the Kafala Sponsorship System: Impacts on Foreign Domestic Workers’ Income and Employment Status in the GCC Countries. International Migration, 54(5), 76–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marchand, K., Siegel, M., Kuschminder, K., Majidi, N., Vanore, M., & Buil, C. (2014). Afghanistan. Migration Profile. Kabul: International Labour Organisation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Migrant Rights Organisation (MRO). (2017a). Qatar Proves Its Critics Right Once Again. https://www.migrant-rights.org/2017/01/qatar-proves-its-critics-right-once-again/

  • Migrant Rights Organisation (MRO). (2017b). Bahrain to Introduce Self-Sponsorship System in April. https://www.migrant-rights.org/2017/03/bahrain-to-introduce-self-sponsorship-system-in-april/

  • Migrant Rights Organisation (MRO). (2017c). Migration in the Gulf: 2016 in Review. https://www.migrant-rights.org/2017/01/migration-in-the-gulf-2016-in-review/

  • Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). (2016). Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF). http://www.mea.gov.in/icwf.htm

  • Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MoPHRD). (2016). Labour Migration from Pakistan: 2015 Status Report. Islamabad: MoPHRD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morin, R. (2013, April 12). Indentured Servitude in the Persian Gulf. New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/14/sunday-review/indentured-servitude-in-the-persian-gulf.html

  • Murphy, B. (2015, February 24). How Two Fires Reveal the Gulf Between Migrant Workers and the Rich in United Arab Emirates. The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/world/how-two-fires-reveal-the-gulf-between-migrant-workers-and-the-rich-in-united-arab-emirates-20150223-13msse.html

  • O’Connell Davidson, J. (2013). Troubling Freedom: Migration, Debt, and Modern Slavery. Migration Studies, 1(2), 176–195.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Overfeld, G., & Zumot, M. (2010). Economic Development and Security of Afghanistan. New York: East West Institute.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, J. E. (2001). What Makes the Gulf States Endure? In J. A. Kechichian (Ed.), Iran, Iraq and the Arab Gulf States (pp. 452–460). New York: Palgrave.

    Google Scholar 

  • Piper, N. (2006, February). Economic Migration and the Transnationalisation of the Rights of Foreign Workers – A Concept Note (Asia Research Institute Working Paper Series No. 58). Singapore: National University of Singapore. https://ari.nus.edu.sg/Assets/repository/files/publications/wps06_058.pdf

  • Rashad, M. (2017, April 17). Exclusive: Saudi to Shelve, Reform Billions of Dollars of Unfinished Projects – Sources. Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-projects-idUSKBN17I0GM

  • Redfern, B. (2010). UAE Taking the Lead on Construction Site Safety. MEED Quality in Construction Supplements. http://www.meed.com/supplements/2010/quality-in-construction/

  • Ruhunage, L. K. (2006). Institutional Monitoring of Migrant Recruitment in Sri Lanka. In C. Kuptsch (Ed.), Merchants of Labour (pp. 53–61). Geneva: International Institute for Labour Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sasikumar, S. K., & Thimothy, R. (2015). From India to the Gulf Region: Exploring Links Between Labour Markets, Skills and the Migration Cycle. Germany/Geneva: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and International Labour Organization, Eschborn.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siddiqui, T. (2006). Protection of Bangladeshi Migrants Through Good Governance. In C. Kuptsch (Ed.), Merchants of Labour (pp. 63–89). Geneva: International Institute for Labour Studies.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh, A. D., & Chhabra, N. (2015, April 6). Trends in Gluf Demographics and Labour Migration. Paper presented at the IISS Bahrain India Forum, New Delhi, India.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soto, R., & Rashid, Y. (2016). Labour Markets in Transition. In A. Al Faris & R. Soto (Eds.), The Economy of Dubai (pp. 237–261). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Stangler, C. (2015, April 2). Saudi Arabia to Lift Ban on Labour Migration from Bangladesh. International Business Times. http://www.ibtimes.com/saudi-arabia-lift-ban-labor-migration-bangladesh-1805350

  • Steven, P. (2016, December 13). Economic Reform in the GCC: Privatisation as a Panacea for Declining Oil Wealth (Research Paper). London: Chatham House.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Independent. (2015, November 1). United Arab Emirates Law to Protect Migrant Workers Fails to Cover Domestics. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/united-arab-emirates-law-to-protect-migrant-workers-fails-to-cover-domestics-a6717146.html

  • Ulrichsen, K. C. (2014). Gulf States Gamble on Ambitious but Risky Mega-Projects. World Politics Review. Last modified October 14. http://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/14195/gulf-states-gamble-on-ambitious-but-risky-mega-projects

  • United Nations Department of Economics and Social Affairs (UNDESA). (2015). International Migrant Stock. http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/migration/data/estimates2/estimates15.shtml

  • Weiner, M. (1982). International Migration and Development: Indians in the Persian Gulf. Population and Development Review, 8(1), 1–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wickramasekara, P. (2002). Asian Labour Migration: Issues and Challenges in an Era of Globalisation (International Migration Papers 57). Geneva: International Labour Organisation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wickramasekara, P. (2011). Labour Migration in South Asia: A Review of Issues, Policies and Practices (International Migration Papers 108). Geneva: International Labour Organisation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wickramasekara, P., & Baruah, N. (2013). Labour Migration for Decent Work in Afghanisation: Issues and Challenges. Bangkok: International Labour Organisation.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Bank. (2016a). International Migration Stock (% of Population). http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SM.POP.TOTL.ZS

  • World Bank. (2016b). Annual Remittances Data. Last modified October. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/migrationremittancesdiasporaissues/brief/migration-remittances-data

  • World Bank. (2016c). GCC Knowledge Note: Global Economic Trends. Washington, DC: World Bank.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Bank. (2017). GDP Per Capita, PPP (Current International $). Last modified March 13. http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD. Access date: 16 April 2017.

  • Zahra, M. (2013a). Kuwait’s Legal Framework of Migration (Explanatory Note. GLMM-EN-No. 3/2013). San Domenico di Fiesole: European University Institute (EUI) and Gulf Research Centre (GRC).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zahra, M. (2013b). Saudi Arabia’s Legal Framework of Migration (Explanatory Note. GLMM-EN-No. 4/2013). San Domenico di Fiesole: European University Institute (EUI) and Gulf Research Centre (GRC).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zahra, M. (2015a). Bahrain’s Legal Framework of Migration (Explanatory Note. GLMM-EN-No. 1/2015). San Domenico di Fiesole: European University Institute (EUI) and Gulf Research Centre (GRC).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zahra, M. (2015b). United Arab Emirates’ Legal Framework of Migration (Explanatory Note. GLMM-EN-No. 5/2015). San Domenico di Fiesole: European University Institute (EUI) and Gulf Research Centre (GRC).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zahra, M. (2015c). Oman’s Legal Framework of Migration (Explanatory Note. GLMM-EN-No. 8/2015). San Domenico di Fiesole: European University Institute (EUI) and Gulf Research Centre (GRC).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zahra, M. (2016). Qatar’s Legal Framework of Migration (Explanatory Note. GLMM-EN-No. 2/2016). San Domenico di Fiesole: European University Institute (EUI) and Gulf Research Centre (GRC).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Housing, Building and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia

    Abdul-Rashid Abdul-Aziz

  2. Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology, Department of Construction Management, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Kampar, Malaysia

    Abdul Lateef Olanrewaju

  3. Alhosn University, Abu Dhabi, UAE

    Abdullahi Umar Ahmed

Authors
  1. Abdul-Rashid Abdul-Aziz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Abdul Lateef Olanrewaju
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Abdullahi Umar Ahmed
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics, Business School, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, United Kingdom

    Mehdi Chowdhury

  2. Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India

    S. Irudaya Rajan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Abdul-Aziz, AR., Olanrewaju, A.L., Ahmed, A.U. (2018). South Asian Migrants and the Construction Sector of the Gulf. In: Chowdhury, M., Irudaya Rajan, S. (eds) South Asian Migration in the Gulf. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71821-7_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71821-7_9

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-71820-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-71821-7

  • eBook Packages: Economics and FinanceEconomics and Finance (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation