Forced leave and tremendous stress, yet Indians do not want to come home. Know why?
US-Iran War: Experts have expressed apprehension that if this war continues for long, it may affect the jobs and income of millions of Indians working in Gulf countries.
The impact of tensions in West Asia on workers in the Gulf countries
West Asia Tensions: The ongoing tensions in the Middle East are having a global impact. This is directly affecting Indians who work in Gulf countries and send money back to their families. However, despite the fierce fighting in West Asia, these expatriate Indians are reluctant to return to India.
According to recruitment experts, these workers want to secure their jobs and continue to financially support their families back home. Currently, these workers are receiving their wages on time, but if the war with Iran continues, they could face a major crisis, and their jobs could be at risk.
Why do Indians not want to return?
According to the Economic Times, Apna.co CEO Kartik Narayan says that Indian blue-collar workers in Gulf countries earn between ₹30,000 and ₹100,000 per month. In contrast, they earn only about half that in India. This is why migrant workers are attracted to these countries.
He said that around 90 lakh Indians are employed in blue-collar jobs in the Gulf countries, engaged in construction, oil, the service sector, and other labour-intensive work.
What could be the impact?
According to Fahran Azmi, founder of Futures Staffing Solutions, a company that sends people to Gulf countries for work, many workers have been asked to go on leave as a precaution.
Significantly, the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, followed by Tehran's retaliatory actions, have heightened tensions across the region. Following this, reports of Iranian drone attacks on US West Asian allies such as the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia have emerged.
As of Wednesday, the conflict has entered its 19th day. Experts have expressed concern that if this war continues for a long time, it could impact the jobs and incomes of millions of Indians working in Gulf countries.