The rise of living costs in many Gulf countries has a negative impact on migrant workers from South Asia who sought to improve their income and standard of living. The rise in living costs is affecting South Asian migrant workers, who originally came to work in the Gulf region. In addition to the fact that the Gulf area has already experienced high rent and utility costs, the price of food and transportation has increased dramatically, significantly decreasing the amount of savings available to these workers, which was one of the reasons why working in the Gulf region was viewed as a financially beneficial option.
Since many workers from South Asian countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal make up a large portion of the workforce for important industries like construction, retail, domestic work, and logistics, the inability to keep up with inflation for most wages means more families are struggling to pay for basic necessities. For more news updates, visit our Gulf Independent News page.
Housing and Rental Costs
One of the most significant difficulties for South Asian workers has been the sudden increase in the cost of housing. Many workers who previously found shared accommodations to be affordable have now discovered that the same housing now requires much more of their salary. As a result, many workers are moving further away from city centres or sharing rooms with others in order to meet their expenses.
For low and moderate-income earners, rent has taken on a much larger portion of their monthly income, which limits the amount of money that can be sent home or put into savings.
Everyday Essentials Growing More Expensive
It’s not just rent. The price of basics like groceries, cooking gas, fuel, and even a bus ride keeps going up. For workers sending money home, even a tiny jump in prices can throw off the whole month’s budget.
A lot of workers say they’ve started skipping non-essentials, cut down on social outings, or switched to cheaper meals just to make ends meet.
Read more: Cost Of Living Snapshot Across Gulf Nations
Remittances are taking a hit
South Asian workers send billions back home, supporting families and entire communities. But with their own costs rising, they’re sending less. Throw in some unpredictable exchange rates and higher transfer fees, and it gets even tougher.
Back home, families feel the pinch. Some countries really depend on this money, so when it drops, it leaves a mark.
People are calling for change
Labour advocates want governments and employers to step up—maybe raise minimum wages, offer more affordable places to live, or boost cost-of-living allowances.
The Gulf keeps growing and changing. But if migrant workers can’t afford decent living conditions, it threatens the stability of the whole workforce.
FAQs
Q1: What’s making life more expensive in the Gulf?
Rents are up. Groceries, fuel, and just about everything else cost more now, especially as cities get busier.
Q2: Who’s feeling it the most?
South Asian workers in lower and middle-income jobs—think construction, domestic help, service roles—are getting hit the hardest.
Q3: How are workers coping?
Many have cut spending and now send less money home.
Q4: Are employers paying people more to keep up?
Not really. Wages have barely budged in lots of sectors, so workers end up shouldering the extra costs.
Q5: What can make things better?
Cheaper housing, fairer pay, help with transport, and better protections for migrant workers would go a long way.
News4 weeks ago
