Abstract

he long-existing Kafala system has again made headlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. A traditional system that provided protection and hospitality during the early 1900s, this is now a system of emotional distress because it has facilitated unfair treatment and increased wage theft for hardworking migrant workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) during COVID-19. Therefore, this research investigated the issues such as the Kafala system and wage theft faced by Indian migrant workers living in the GCC. It brings to light the emotional, social, and economic plights of the workers in the GCC’s hydrocarbon industry, many of whom were displaced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research also investigates the diverse cultural aspects faced by Indians living and working in the Gulf Corporation Countries using theories such as Appadurai’s Theory of Globalisation, Galtung’s centre-periphery model, and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions model. Furthermore, the involvement of the International Labour Organisation, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Human Rights are highlighted to ensure that favourable conditions were being considered to encourage a healthy work-life balance for Indian migrant workers in the GCC.

Keywords:
COVID-19, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), migrants, Kafala system, wage theft

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