I could be wrong, but I thought most of the Southern Asian expats in the Middle East were more akin to indentured servants than migrant workers, and often overworked and underpaid on extremely long contracts.

Speaking as a Nepali guy, I agree with you guys. In Nepal people don't get well-deserved opportunities to sustain. So working in these nations is their only option, since they lack language skills to go work in other developed nations.

But the working and living conditions there are really tough. I personally, was lucky that my parents could afford to send me to Europe for study and work. But I had a friend, who worked almost for a year in Dubai. Where he was constantly bullied, discriminated by manager and workers from other nations. He had to share bedroom and bathroom with 16 people. And the kitchen used to be one big hall for the whole building. I often hear more terrible stories from other people.

Although they aren't treated as slaves, basic human rights are neglected, and often their work contract are terminated untimely or sometimes underpaid.

The government in Nepal is to blame completely. It benefits from remittance of the workers, but doesn't ensure people's rights in the working nation. In fact, the gov is so corrupt, it accepts bribe to let many employment agencies in the country pass, which randomly employ people to work in such conditions. There have been few revolts against that, yes. But it always turned futile. In the upcoming elections, many intelligent and sympathetic people are getting elected. Hopefully, they'll listen to the cries of people.