Due to the current tension in the Gulf countries, the condition of migrant laborers has worsened. According to a recent report, 4 Bangladeshi civilians have died and 12 to 13 have been injured due to the conflict. WARBE Development Foundation has described this situation as extremely worrying. In these circumstances, the safety of South Asian people working there, including Indians, has become a big issue.
Where and how did these laborers die?
The effect of this tension has been seen in countries like UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. These deaths have occurred due to being hit by debris from missiles and air strikes in separate incidents. The dead and injured have also been identified.
Ajman, UAE: On March 2, a worker named Saleh Ahmed died due to debris from the airstrike.
Bahrain: SM Tarek was killed by missile debris in Salman Industrial Area.
Saudi Arabia: On 8 March, a missile attack on a residential building in al-Kharj killed one civilian.
Kuwait: Four people have been injured in the attack near the airport.
Efforts to rescue stranded people and India’s action
Concern has increased regarding the safety of about 60 lakh Bangladeshis and lakhs of Indians working in Gulf countries. Due to security reasons, many workers are prohibited from leaving their homes. In such a situation, a special flight of US-Bangla Airlines has safely transported 378 Bangladeshis from Dubai to Dhaka.
India has also supported a resolution in the United Nations Security Council in this matter. The proposal focuses on the well-being of South Asian expatriates living in the Gulf countries. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has made it clear that the safety of all the migrants living in Gulf countries is of utmost importance for India.
New instructions for relief and rescue
Bangladeshi embassies present in Gulf countries have been given strict instructions to provide immediate medical care to the injured. As soon as flights become normal, the work of sending the bodies of the deceased to their countries will also be started. Meanwhile, to deal with the domestic crisis, Bangladesh has sought energy assistance from India in the form of diesel, which the Indian government is considering.
