Trends and policies for contract worker mobility of Asians to the Gulf Cooperation Council countries

Nasra M. Shah, Kuwait University

The objectives of this paper are to: (i) outline the trends in annual outflows and stocks of Asian contract workers to the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE) and (ii) discuss the policies of sending countries by focusing on (a) policies regulating the exit and stay of workers; and (b) policies ensuring their welfare and protection. The paper focuses on contract worker mobility from the following major senders: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Contract worker mobility has become a vital factor affecting many facets of life in the countries of destination as well as origin today, requiring a need for effective partnerships. The policies of senders and receivers have, however, been contradictory with the former trying to maximize and latter trying to restrict movement, resulting in encouraging irregular migration and exploitation of workers.