Urgent Call to Action: Solidarity with Migrant Workers Amid Escalating SWANA Region Conflict

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Latest | Theme: Policy Advocacy | Theme: Women's Voices | Uncategorized | WIMN Statements

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March 3, 2026

3 March 2026

The Women in Migration Network (WIMN) stands in unwavering solidarity with the millions of migrant workers across South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA) who are facing catastrophic risks from the escalating war following U.S. and Israeli military campaigns against Iran. We condemn this aggression, warn of devastating regional spillover, and demand an immediate, permanent ceasefire. We further demand stronger protections for migrant workers caught in the violence and urge the global community to center their safety, dignity, and human rights.

The U.S. and Israeli military campaign launched February 28 strikes a region already burdened by decades of war and displacement. Prior to this, a brutal domestic crackdown on protests in Iran — sparked by economic devastation and sanctions — disproportionately targeted women and activists, including anti-Hijab protests. War now exacerbates these conditions, forcing lower-wage individuals, especially women, into unsafe migration pathways.

While the geopolitical focus remains on military targets, migrant workers – the backbone of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jordanian, and Lebanese economies – are the invisible casualties. Trapped by the exploitative kafala (sponsorship) system, many lack passports and mobility. Migrant women workers – particularly employed in domestic work, care giving, hospitality and low wage work – are in heightened vulnerable situations during such military crises. As strikes hit infrastructure, these workers are routinely excluded from emergency protocols and bomb shelters. Reports of deaths among workers from Bangladesh, the Philippines and elsewhere are already emerging.

The SWANA region is home to massive displaced populations – including millions of Syrian and Afghan refugees – now living in extreme precarity. The expansion of hostilities threatens to push these workers further into acute poverty and wage theft as the military offensive significantly violates international humanitarian and human rights law.

WIMN demands urgent action from the international community and origin and destination governments:

Immediate Ceasefire: An immediate halt to the US and Israeli military campaigns and all regional hostilities.
Accountability under International Law. Independent investigations into violations of international law, and accountability of those responsible for war crimes.
An End to Impunity. All states, international bodies, and civil society organizations must refuse complicity in international law violations through arms transfers, diplomatic cover, or economic support that enables ongoing aggression.
Immediate Humanitarian Access. Safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian organizations to all affected areas in Iran and across the SWANA region. Protection and/or restoration of civilian infrastructure — hospitals, water systems, power grids.
Equal Access to Emergency Protection: Assurance by destination governments of emergency aid, early warning systems, and shelters that are accessible to all, regardless of citizenship or immigration status.
Safe Passage and Repatriation: Coordination of immediate, safe, free repatriation of any migrant worker who wants to leave. Employers must not block flight or withhold owed wages and other compensation.
Abolition of Kafala: Immediate dismantling of the kafala system to ensure freedom of movement and access to justice.
Wage Protection, Remedy and Monitoring: Provide financial safety nets, penalize wage theft or illegal dismissals, and strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms of origin country embassies and honorary consulates in destination countries.

WIMN rejects the systemic sacrifice of migrant lives for geopolitical gain. We stand with the working people and migrant women and men of the region, and call for global responsibility to ensure the safety, dignity and human rights of all migrants in the face of escalating violence and widespread crisis.

Women In Migration Network (WIMN)