AI, Gulf Policy Threaten Migrant Jobs
Economists warn that artificial intelligence and shifting Gulf labour policies could affect up to seven in ten jobs traditionally held by migrant workers.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Employment
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Speakers at the Fourth International Conference on Future Drivers of International Migration from Asia discussed declining overseas employment prospects for Asian migrants. Gulf states are increasingly selecting workers by skills, occupations and migration pathways, while traditional routes for low- and semi-skilled workers face growing restrictions.
Why it matters
Remittances from migrant workers are a major income source for several Asian economies, so shrinking overseas job access could affect household finances and national economies. Analysts say current remittance inflows may conceal a future decline in overseas employment.
Presenters cited a projection that up to seven in 10 jobs traditionally taken by migrant workers could be affected by AI and changing Gulf policies, and that remittances account for about 33% of Nepal's GDP. The projection's methodology and time horizon were not detailed in the available extraction.
The players
Pakistan Institute of Development Economics
A Pakistani research institution that studies economic development and labour issues, whose researchers contribute to national policy debates on migration.
Lahore School of Economics
A private university in Lahore, Pakistan, known for its economics and social science programmes, which hosted the migration conference.
The details
The two-day Fourth International Conference, organised by the Centre on International Migration, Remittances and Diaspora at the Lahore School of Economics, brought together scholars and policy specialists from Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. Dr Nasir Iqbal of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics was among the speakers, who also noted that European border controls and political and economic instability are shaping irregular migration from Asia.
Timeline
• 2026: Conflict and rapid AI development reshaped the Gulf migrant labour landscape.
• 4 November 2026: The conference was reported in news coverage.
Market Landscape
Gulf states are moving away from broad recruitment of low- and semi-skilled migrant labour toward selection by skills, occupations and migration pathways. This shift is accelerating as AI reshapes which roles remain open to migrant workers, while skilled migration to North America, Europe and the Gulf grows.
For migrant workers and their families, narrowing routes for low- and semi-skilled jobs could reduce remittance income that many households rely on. Skilled professionals may find more openings in North America, Europe and the Gulf as employers shift toward selecting workers by qualifications.
The takeaway
Workers planning overseas employment may benefit from building skills in occupations that Gulf and Western employers are still actively recruiting. Tracking changes to migration rules in both sending and receiving countries can help families plan ahead.
Further reading
Explore more on Employment to see how migrant job markets are changing across sending and receiving countries.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Express Tribune.
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