Revisiting Kuwait’s invasion amid war
This article reflects on the 1990 Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, focusing on the plight of migrant workers who lost their livelihoods and savings. It draws parallels between the historical exploitation of low-skilled laborers during the Gulf War and modern wage theft issues seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why it matters
It sheds light on the vulnerability of migrant labor forces during geopolitical crises and the systemic failure to provide them with adequate compensation.
As the world witnesses yet another war in West Asia, the passage of August revives the haunting memory of Iraqi troops invading Kuwait on August 2, 1990 . As Kuwait remembers that sordid day, another story, which has largely been forgotten, also needs to be remembered — the story of the migrant workers. For them, the war was not an abstract international crisis; it meant unemployment and the loss of everything they had built abroad.
The labourers and domestic workers were the most hit, being abandoned when employers fled. Many returned empty-handed, leaving behind wages, savings, and possessions. And while some chose to undertake the arduous return journey, others had no choice but to stay back.
Infographics | The great Indian evacuation of 1990: How India rescued its citizens from Kuwait during the Gulf war
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