ISAS Briefs

On 5 June 2017, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates cut their diplomatic relations and trade ties with Qatar. The Saudi-led diplomatic boycott soon had the support of nine countries, including the Maldives. The air, sea and land embargo on Qatar has directly affected the movement of people and goods to and from the country. This has had an adverse impact on South Asian migrant workers who make up around 70 per cent of the 2.7 millionstrong population in Qatar. In addition to having to deal with the rising cost of basic foodstuff, these workers live in the constant fear of losing their jobs and not receiving their salaries, due to the slowdown of the construction sector. At the same time, they are confronted with higher prices for air travel back to their home countries. All these factors have resulted in the migrant workers- inability to remit money to their families. Their plight will further worsen if the Gulf leadership does not find a solution to the crisis soon