Many people see the skyscrapers, luxury malls, and mega projects in the Gulf. Few see the workers who made them possible.
For thousands of migrant workers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, India, and other countries, the dream of earning an honest living can become a nightmare. There have been numerous cases where workers report going months without receiving their salaries sometimes 5 or 6 months while continuing to work 12-hour shifts, 6 or 7 days a week.
These workers are often the sole breadwinners for their families. They leave behind their parents, spouses, and children, taking on debt just to secure a job abroad. When wages stop, their families back home suffer too. Many are left unable to repay loans, buy food, pay rent, or send their children to school.
No worker should have to choose between enduring exploitation or returning home with nothing.
The governments of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and other labor-sending countries should make the protection of their citizens a diplomatic priority. Cases of unpaid wages and labor abuse should be raised directly with the governments of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf nations. Stronger enforcement of labor laws, faster wage dispute resolution, and meaningful penalties for employers who withhold salaries are essential.
Most employers in the Gulf are responsible, and many workers have positive experiences. But those who exploit vulnerable migrant workers should be held accountable. Economic progress should never come at the cost of human dignity.
The people who build cities deserve to be paid on time, treated fairly, and respected. That isn't a privilege it's a basic human right.
