Bangladeshi migrant workers in Saudi Arabia are facing a deepening livelihood crisis as missile attacks and flight disruptions compound existing problems of unpaid wages, shrinking employment opportunities and difficulties renewing residency permits, raising concerns over the future of Bangladesh’s largest overseas labour market.
The situation has worsened following the deadly attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, which killed two Bangladeshis and injured 24 others, while disruptions to flights connecting Bangladesh with Saudi Arabia have affected 5,418 passengers.
For many expatriates, the consequences extend far beyond cancelled flights.
Workers stranded in Bangladesh fear losing their jobs and residency permits, while those already in Saudi Arabia report reduced wages, unemployment and growing uncertainty as regional tensions threaten business activity.
Saudi Arabia is home to more than 3.2 million Bangladeshis, many of whom work in relatively low-paid occupations, including construction, cleaning and domestic services.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam has warned that the conflict could seriously affect overseas employment and remittance inflows, while migration experts say Bangladesh’s longstanding dependence on Middle Eastern labour markets has left workers particularly vulnerable.
Jobs at risk as flights remain disrupted
Flight disruptions have left thousands of Bangladeshi passengers uncertain about when they can travel to Saudi Arabia.
According to aviation authorities, 5,418 passengers have been affected by disruptions to flights connecting Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.
Twelve direct Riyadh-bound flights have been cancelled, including four operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, two by US-Bangla Airlines, three by Saudia and three by Riyadh Air.
Biman’s Saudi-bound flight cancellations have been reported through October 17, while US-Bangla Airlines has announced the suspension of its Dhaka-Riyadh-Dhaka services until October 21.
For workers returning after leave, these delays could threaten their employment.
Jamal Uddin, stranded at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, said his employer had warned him of serious consequences if he failed to return on time.
“My leave ends on the 15th; the company warned that if I don’t report for duty on time, they will mark me absent and cancel my Iqama,” he said, referring to his Saudi residency permit.
“Now there are no flights, and I fear losing my job.”
Many workers face similar problems, particularly those whose visas or residency arrangements are approaching expiry.
The government has announced plans to arrange alternative flights through operational Saudi airports for passengers facing urgent visa or employment deadlines.
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat said on Monday that arrangements were being made to help stranded expatriates return to their workplaces.
Working, but receiving half their wages
For Bangladeshis already in Saudi Arabia, the difficulties began well before the latest security crisis.
Jamal Hossain, from Comilla, works for a cleaning company in Al-Kharj, near Riyadh.
He said his monthly salary had been cut in half after his employer cited a shortage of work.
“I joined this new company seven months ago. Things were fine for the first three months, but now they claim there is less work. Instead of 1,400 riyals, they are paying 700,” he told Dhaka Tribune.
Jamal said he had borrowed Tk350,000 to migrate to Saudi Arabia and was now struggling to meet his financial obligations.
He also complained about the increased cost of the Takamul skills verification examination, saying the fee had risen from $50 to $85 and that workers were bearing the additional expense.
His experience reflects wider concerns about wage irregularities and the vulnerability of low-paid migrant workers.
Human Rights Watch reported last November that at least 600 migrant workers from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan had gone unpaid for more than eight months.
Some affected workers also reported difficulties renewing their residency permits, leaving them unable to change jobs or return home easily.
‘Visa in hand, but no work’
For some newly arrived migrants, securing a Saudi visa has not translated into employment.
Sohel Rana, from Chittagong, travelled to Riyadh two months ago through a manpower supply company.
He said the recruiting agent had promised him direct employment, but the reality was very different.
“Upon arrival, I found fourteen people sharing a single room. Every morning, I stand at the labour market; if I get work, I earn 50 riyals, but otherwise, I return empty-handed.”
Last month, he said, he found work on only nine days.
Workers employed through supply agencies appear particularly vulnerable when construction and other projects slow down.
Rafiqul, a Bangladeshi worker from Shariatpur employed in Dammam, said his company had decided to send workers home after they demanded higher wages.
“Our company has decided to send us back home. We had demanded a pay raise, but they say our contract has ended,” he said.
His residency permit had also expired, leaving him fearful of detention.
“If the police catch me, I’ll end up in jail,” he said.
These accounts highlight the risks faced by migrants who have spent substantial sums securing overseas employment but find themselves without regular work or valid residency documents.
The latest escalation has added a direct threat to workers’ safety.
The attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed 12 people, including two Bangladeshis, and injured 309 others, according to figures cited in the draft.
Another 24 Bangladeshis were injured, including 11 workers and 13 Umrah pilgrims.
Three were reported to be receiving treatment in intensive care at King Abdullah Hospital, with their conditions described as stable.
The Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh has been coordinating with Saudi authorities to monitor the injured and assist affected nationals.
The attack, blamed on Houthi rebels, has heightened concerns over the safety of civilians and critical infrastructure in the kingdom.
It has also disrupted aviation services, creating additional problems for workers whose employment depends on timely travel between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.
Businesses suffer as uncertainty grows
The impact is being felt beyond wage earners.
Nurul Afsar, a businessman from Feni who operates an electronics business in Jeddah, said the security situation was discouraging customers.
“I haven’t yet been able to recover from the losses caused by the coronavirus. Now, customers are afraid to visit. The shop remains empty after sunset,” he said.
“We business owners are facing extreme uncertainty.”
Workers also reported that some companies were suspending projects or reducing operations, citing the conflict.
Those dependent on daily wages and short-term assignments are among the most exposed because they have little financial protection when work stops.
Dependence on Saudi labour market
Saudi Arabia remains Bangladesh’s largest overseas employment destination, despite longstanding concerns about low wages, recruitment costs and the quality of jobs available to migrants.
According to the draft’s labour migration figures, overseas employment clearances in September fell by approximately 29% compared with the same month last year.
The decline comes amid instability in the Middle East, restrictions in other traditional labour markets and limited progress in developing alternative destinations.
State Minister Shama Obaid Islam said some Bangladeshi expatriates had already lost their jobs and returned home, while others remained abroad without employment.
She warned that prolonged instability could affect both overseas employment and remittances.
The government was exploring new labour markets and promoting skilled, legal migration to reduce Bangladesh’s dependence on traditional destinations, she said.
Shariful Hasan, associate director at Brac, said the current crisis exposed a longstanding structural weakness in Bangladesh’s labour migration strategy.
“For the past decade and a half, there have been repeated calls to avoid centring our labour market solely on the Middle East and to seek alternative markets; we are now witnessing the consequences of that,” he said.
He warned that even if the conflict ended, its economic effects could persist.
The Middle East had attracted substantial international investment because it was regarded as relatively secure, he said. The latest conflict could undermine that confidence, affecting construction, tourism, hospitality and other industries that employ large numbers of migrants.
As businesses reduce investment and operations, workers could face fewer jobs, lower wages and further layoffs, he cautioned.
Embassy issues advisory
Against the deteriorating security situation, the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh has urged expatriates to remain vigilant, avoid high-risk and crowded areas, and follow Saudi authorities’ instructions.
In an advisory issued on Sunday, the embassy warned Bangladeshis against recording or sharing photographs, videos and sensitive information related to the conflict, citing restrictions under Saudi law.
The mission also provided emergency contact numbers for workers and other expatriates requiring assistance.
The embassy can be contacted on 8001000125 for labour-related matters, 8001000126 for passport services and 8001000124 for diplomatic assistance. For emergencies involving deaths, it provided +966570212180.
For millions of Bangladeshi families dependent on earnings from Saudi Arabia, the immediate concern is whether workers can remain safe and employed.
