Etihad Airways reportedly terminated 15 Pakistani employees in Abu Dhabi, leading to concerns among immigrants and doubts over Pakistan’s standing in the United Arab Emirates. CNN-News18 reported that the terminations were executed at an abnormal speed without following standard corporate procedures.
Pakistan is currently struggling with a fragile economy and a growing reliance on foreign allies. The abrupt dismissal has escalated concerns regarding the treatment of Pakistani workers abroad.
Sources told News18 that the employees were not contacted through formal human resources channels. They were allegedly called to an immigration office and handed orders to leave the UAE within 48 hours. The affected workers included an employee, who had served the airline for almost twenty years. The tight deadline gives them little to no time to manage finances, arrange travel, or relocate family members.
Etihad Airways is yet to release an official statement explaining the reason behind the decision. Involvement of immigration authorities and the order to leave the country at short notice indicate that the move was not just a case of typical corporate restructuring. The lack of transparency has further contributed to the feelings of speculation and unease.
Analysts told News-18 that the incident can be interpreted as a sign of weakening ties between the UAE and Pakistan. The process of carrying out the terminations were described as a sign of a tougher stance from Abu Dhabi.
UAE is home to a large population of the Pakistani community as many rely on gulf job for financial stability. Pakistan depends heavily on the remittance from these workers. Therefore, the recent developments have created concern regarding job security, Islamabad’s economic implications, and the country’s overall standing with the Arab nation.
The incident is further proof that Pakistan’s ongoing economic crisis has put a burden on its citizens working abroad, incurring diplomatic and social costs.
