Impact of the Nationalisation of the Labour Force on South Asian Migrants in the Gulf Cooperation Council States

Over the last 20 years, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have faced significant challenges, including rising unemployment, gender disparities in the labour force, lower levels of private-sector employment among nationals, and excessive reliance on migrant workers, which has compelled the GCC states to implement various policy initiatives aimed at nationalising the labour workforce. This paper aims to comprehend the rationale behind the GCC’s workforce nationalisation strategy, its significance, and how it impacts migrant workers from South Asia. The theoretical underpinnings of the present labour market situation and the nationalisation policies implemented by the GCC states are highlighted at the outset of the paper. It then focuses on migration patterns from South Asian countries to the GCC states. The paper also analyses the impact of labour nationalisation on remittances, job displacement, the kafala system, exclusion of basic rights, and cultural xenophobia towards South Asian migrant workers. Finally, the article concludes by outlining the key findings, discussing their practical implications and offering targeted policy recommendations.