Low Wage Econ Migration

• Indian workers moving to the UAE:

  • About 45% of UAE population are migrants from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh
  • An estimated $15bn is returned to India annually as remittances
  • Most migrants work in transport, construction as well as manufacturing industries.
  • 1/5 are professionals working in service industries
  • Migrants are often abused and exploited by employers
• Filipino workers moving to Saudi Arabia:

  • Around 1.5mn migrants from Philippines arrived in Saudi Arabia since 1973 due to rising oil prices bringing enormous wealth.
  • Some work in construction and transport industries.
  • Some as doctors and nurses in Riyadh
  • Around US$7bn returned to the Philippines annually as remittances.
  • Reports of ill treatment of some migrants