Faiza Tehseen

Providing legitimate job opportunities for Pakistanis abroad can significantly reduce the growing challenge of illegal and undocumented migration, an official from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MOP&HRD) told WealthPK on the condition of anonymity.

“Enhancing institutional capacity will help foster the demand for Pakistani workers in the global job market. To align the skills of Pakistani workforce with the international job market’s demand, updated vocational skills and courses in various languages are important. It will be helpful in enhancing the employability of individuals, particularly from the underprivileged backgrounds,” he said.

He said the MOP&HRD is actively engaged in securing employment opportunities for Pakistanis with international partners. Notably, agreements are signed with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and some European countries, including Belarus and Italy. Collaborations with these countries will create job opportunities by providing legitimate migration to skilled professionals in various sectors – information technology, finance, hospitality, engineering, healthcare, and construction.

“Pakistan recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Italian government. Italy is the first European country to have signed a direct MoU for direct recruitment of Pakistani workforce. Under this MoU, both the countries will jointly work to curb illegal immigration and human trafficking. In this concern, a joint working group will also be formed,” said the ministry official. The said agreement is a comprehensive document to protect the rights of Pakistani workforce there.

For the training and recruitment of skilled Pakistani workers, establishment of a labour mobility corridor is also a part of the agreement. He said, “According to the agreement, pilot mobility programmes will also be launched for vocational and language training of Pakistanis seeking jobs in Italy. Establishment of migrnat resource centers will also help streamline the employment process abroad.”

Talking to WealthPK, he said allocation of annual employment quota for Pakistanis in Italy and fast immigration process will make job seeking easier. To provide modern technical education to the Pakistani workers, collaboration of relevant Italian and Pakistani institutions is also a part of the agreement. The ministry official further said, “To support the marginalized communities, the MOP&HRD has partnered with the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

It will help provide employment opportunities to the beneficiaries. To enhance their work compatibility in most demanding trades, quality skill training, including basic English fluency, work ethics, and hygiene, will also be provided.” To provide a legal migration channel, the MOP&HRD is also trying to streamline the entire official process and make it more transparent. Provision of structured and legal migration pathways will foster a more prosperous socio-economic future for Pakistani citizens both at home and abroad.

Talking with WealthPK, Ali Sher Khan, job promoter and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aiteza International, a foreign employment consultancy agency, said, “To discourage and prevent illegal immigration abroad, particularly to the European countries, the Government of Pakistan should expand the employment opportunities there and negotiate for a regular annual employment quota under a proper agreement with other countries.”

He said the Pakistani workforce deployed in foreign countries is a real strength to increase the country's foreign exchange reserves. “Remittances from them always support Pakistan. So, equipping the Pakistani workforce with necessary competencies will help secure their employments abroad,” he added.

Credit: INP-WealthPk