Pakistani workers in the United Arab Emirates report losing their jobs and facing deportation due to their Shia faith [1, 2].
These developments signal a sharp decline in diplomatic stability between the UAE and Pakistan. The targeted nature of these deportations suggests that civilian laborers are becoming leverage in a broader geopolitical struggle involving regional warfare and international mediation.
The wave of removals began shortly after the start of the Iran war [1, 2]. According to reports from May and June, workers identified as Shia Muslims have been singled out for termination and removal from the country [1, 2].
The timing coincides with a period of heightened political tension. Pakistan has taken a central role as a mediator between the U.S. and Iran, a position that has strained the UAE's relations with Islamabad [1, 2].
Workers said their faith was the primary reason for their sudden unemployment [1]. While the UAE has not issued a formal policy regarding the faith of foreign laborers, the pattern of deportations aligns with the onset of regional conflict and the shifting alliances of the mediating parties [1, 2].
This trend reflects a growing volatility for the millions of expatriates working in the Gulf. As diplomatic ties fray, the security of employment for foreign nationals often becomes precarious, especially for those whose religious identity is linked to regional adversaries.
“Pakistani workers in the United Arab Emirates report losing their jobs and facing deportation due to their Shia faith.”
The deportation of Shia workers illustrates how the 'Kafala' system and the precarious nature of migrant labor in the Gulf can be weaponized during diplomatic crises. By targeting a specific religious minority from a mediating country, the UAE may be signaling its displeasure with Pakistan's role in the Iran-US negotiations, effectively turning labor policy into a tool of foreign policy.
