"The emergence of the vaccine passport; Origin countries scramble to meet vaccination requirements, as prospective and stranded migrant workers struggle without jobs" 6 July 2021

Each GCC state has made it mandatory for all incoming migrants to be vaccinated, including those re-entering with valid residence or work permits. Those who are not vaccinated must undergo prohibitively expensive quarantine. While these policies appear reasonable, they are nevertheless creating deeper rifts in inequalities in origin states. Additionally, there are only a few vaccines that have been approved by GCC countries, not all of which are widely available in origin countries.

Saudi Arabia, the primary destination country for South Asian migrants, has approved only the AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Those arriving unvaccinated will have to pay upwards of US$900 for quarantine.

...... Gulf states, which are highly dependent on migrant labour, have the ability and resources to provide vaccination for incoming migrant workers. The costs of vaccination and quarantine should be incorporated into the recruitment fees that are the responsibility of the sponsor. Governments must put in place facilities and regulations to provide new and existing migrant workers with vaccines and healthcare.