“War’s human toll: Bangladeshis in Gulf pushed to the edge”

The ongoing war involving Iran is sending shockwaves across the Gulf, leaving millions of Bangladeshi expatriates caught between shrinking jobs, rising living costs and growing fear.

From the United Arab Emirates to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain, workers say the conflict has quickly moved beyond geopolitics into their daily survival…

For many expatriates, the first blow has been economic.

Saiful Islam, who works at a signage company in the UAE, described how the crisis hit without warning.

“They have paid half the salary for the month of March. The company is making the excuse of war. They have suddenly dropped many others along with us, and are giving me compulsory leave,” he said.

With expenses climbing, uncertainty is growing.

“The prices of goods here are high, and expenses have increased. Meanwhile, the ticket prices are high – if I go on vacation, I don't know what to do. There is also a fear that the company will suddenly terminate me.”

He added that layoffs are spreading across companies…

Noor Nabi, another expatriate in the UAE, pointed to a wider economic slowdown triggered by the war…