Season of migration from the oil lake: the economy of hatred in the Gulf states

Abstract

In 2020, hatred speech is one of the most frequently stated problems in relation to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Gulf States. Hatred speech has emerged in the social, political and media realms and has provoked racism against foreigners. This hatred is associated with increased unemployment among citizens in light of the economic transformations in the region. Within the hatred context, foreign workers have been framed as the main cause of drained national resources during the pandemic and the economic crises facing the Gulf countries. The study uses surveys to gain insights into the impacts of economic factors on the growing hatred towards expatriate workers with the outbreak of COVID-19.