Abstract

This study identifies the assessment levels of both citizens and expatriates for the role of the state agencies toward migrant workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, it compares the assessment of both citizens and expatriates on the role of migrant workers in society, the state management of migrant workers housing problems during the pandemic, the state agencies management of demographics and the possibility of nationalizing employment in the light of unbalanced percentages in the demographics. This study follows the comparative descriptive approach and the sample consists of a total of 5,776 samples (4,837 citizens) and (939 expatriates). The study is conducted via an electronic questionnaire to measure satisfaction levels and opinions of the role of migrant workers, nationalizing employment, state’s role in addressing the demographics, the state agencies management of migrant workers housing during the pandemic. The results show that both citizens and expatriates assess very high confidence level of the state agencies humanitarian handling of migrant workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Citizens assess very high confidence level in the state’s role in addressing the demographics, nationalizing employment, the role of migrant workers in society and the state agencies management of migrant workers housing. However, expatriates assess a medium level of confidence in the area of nationalizing employment. It is found that there are significant differences in favor of expatriates in the areas of addressing the demographics, the role of migrant workers in society and the handling of migrant workers housing, whereas citizens are in favor in the area of nationalizing employment. The sample of citizens show that females with ages between 18-30 years and secondary education are the highest in recognition of the state's efforts in addressing the demographics, nationalizing employment and addressing the problems of migrant workers. On the other hand, female expatriates with ages between 18-30 years old and secondary education are in favor for the role of migrant workers and the state's management of migrant workers demographics and housing.