Bangladeshi workers employed in the Middle East are passing their days in fear, panic and uncertainty due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. Several casualties have already been reported. Many construction companies have suspended ongoing projects, while Dubai International Airport has reportedly faced multiple attacks, creating uncertainty about when normal operations will resume.
As a result, Bangladeshi expatriates working across the region are facing severe uncertainty, raising fresh concerns about the future of the Middle Eastern labour market for Bangladesh. If the war continues for a prolonged period, the doors of many countries could close for migrant workers.
Experts say that Bangladesh’s labour market in the Middle East has never fully recovered since the COVID-19 pandemic. Even during the 18 months of leadership under interim government head Dr. Muhammad Yunus following the fall of the previous regime, the sector saw little improvement. In fact, diplomatic relations with several countries in the region deteriorated further, negatively affecting Bangladesh’s overseas employment prospects.
There had been some hope after the newly elected government assumed office following the February 12 election. However, the ongoing conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States has overshadowed those expectations. The war has directly affected several Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Libya, Qatar and Kuwait, leading to widespread disruptions. Analysts warn that if the conflict drags on, many countries may suspend recruitment of foreign workers, forcing a large number of Bangladeshi migrants to return home. Such a scenario could deal a major blow to Bangladesh’s economy.
Nawrin Mehjabeen Diti, a Bangladeshi dentist working at a private healthcare centre in Dubai, said expatriates are living in constant fear. “We are terrified that a missile or drone could strike at any moment,” she said, adding that she has not been able to go to work for the past two days and no one knows when normal life will resume.
Remittances sent by migrant workers remain one of the key driving forces of Bangladesh’s economy. Currently, more than 10 million Bangladeshi expatriates support the country’s economic stability through their earnings. However, the escalating military conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States in the Middle East has put this stability at serious risk.
Amid the tensions, several Middle Eastern countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain have temporarily closed their airspace. As a result, regular flights from Bangladesh have been suspended. Thousands of expatriates who had come home on leave are now facing uncertainty about returning to their workplaces. Many workers are also worried as their visas are close to expiry, while companies are reluctant to extend them due to the unstable situation.
Experts warn that if the war continues for a long time, Bangladesh’s labour market and migration sector will suffer severely. Since the country’s economy heavily depends on remittances, a large-scale return of migrant workers or a decline in remittance flows could create significant pressure on the country’s foreign exchange reserves. In recent years, Bangladesh’s import costs have already risen sharply due to energy and food supply challenges, while foreign debt repayments have nearly tripled.
Sources said the government has already formed a special cell to collect information on expatriates whose visas are nearing expiry so that necessary measures can be taken. However, expatriates stranded at airports are demanding quick and safe travel arrangements.
Bangladesh’s labour market is largely dependent on the Middle East. Around 67 percent of Bangladeshi migrants work in Saudi Arabia. Qatar ranks second as a destination, followed by Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. But the ongoing war situation across the region has put Bangladesh’s overseas employment sector at considerable risk.
Remittances have long played a vital role in sustaining the country’s foreign exchange reserves and rural economy, particularly during global economic downturns. In 2025, Bangladesh received a record $32.8 billion in remittances, the highest in its history.
Following US and Israeli attacks on Iran, Tehran has launched retaliatory strikes on American bases in the region. As a result, nearly six million Bangladeshi expatriates living in the Middle East are spending their days in deep uncertainty and fear.
Professor Dr. Rafiuddin Ahmed of the Marketing Department at Dhaka University said it is difficult to predict the ultimate outcome of the war at this stage. “If the conflict continues for another two weeks, the entire Middle East could come to a standstill. Even the United States may face difficulties. Bangladesh could suffer serious consequences despite not being directly involved in the war,” he said.
Prime Minister’s Adviser (with the rank of state minister) Humayun Kabir said at an event that the welfare and safety of expatriates remain the government’s top priority. “Those working abroad are our topmost priority. We will take initiatives regarding ticket reissues or visa-related issues during the current crisis,” he said.
Mohammad Fakhrul Islam, joint secretary general of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA), said the ongoing conflict has placed Bangladesh’s labour market in the Middle East at significant risk. “Workers currently employed in the region are living in anxiety. If the war continues, many may lose their jobs, opportunities for new workers will shrink, and remittance inflows could face a major setback,” he warned.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
