Latest news with #MinistryofOverseasPakistanisandHumanResourceDevelopment
Arab Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Arab Times
Pakistan Boosts Labor Exports With New Jobs In Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 10: The Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC), a subsidiary of Pakistan's Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (OP&HRD), has announced the provision of skilled workers to Kuwait after a long pause. OEC officials told the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) on Saturday that the increasing demand for Pakistani workers in the international labor market is a direct result of the federal government's favorable and effective policies. For Kuwait, the recruitment will focus on candidates who meet specific qualifications and experience requirements. For the position of Warehouse Supervisor, applicants must be under 35 years of age, hold a diploma or bachelor's degree, and be proficient in English (reading, speaking, and understanding). Knowledge of Arabic is considered an advantage. Candidates must also have good customer service skills and 3 to 5 years of experience in warehouse management within logistics companies or relevant work experience in Gulf countries. Other available positions include warehouse coordinator, warehouse worker, carpenter, unskilled laborer, assistant furniture installer, driver, and courier/logistics/delivery personnel. The deadline for submitting applications is August 15.
Business Recorder
02-08-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Deploying large workforce in Belarus: there's no framework yet
ISLAMABAD: The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE) has not developed any framework to assess the viability of deploying large workforce in Belarus, after signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), promising 150,000 jobs for skilled Pakistani workers. So far, there has been no public safety advisory from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development for Pakistani workers intended to work abroad. Details of the issue revealed that thousands of Pakistani nationals are now caught in a rising human migration crisis across Eastern Europe, using Belarus as a stepping stone to illegally enter Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. The situation has escalated rapidly after migrants, lured by promises of overseas employment, found no real job prospects in Belarus - despite a high-profile agreement signed between Islamabad and Minsk earlier this year. The wave of migration follows Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's official visit to Belarus in April, during which a MOU was signed, promising 150,000 jobs for skilled Pakistani workers in sectors such as healthcare, IT, construction, and engineering. However, more than two months later, the plan remains entirely unimplemented. According to officials from the BE&OE, no framework has been developed, no licenced overseas employment promoters have been engaged, and no feasibility study has been conducted to assess the viability of deploying such a large workforce. 'There are no official channels or guidelines for sending workers to Belarus. Nothing has materialized since the agreement was signed,' confirmed a senior BE&OE officer, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. 'In the absence of any structured migration pathway, desperate individuals are turning to illegal routes.' Belarus, which maintains relatively relaxed visa rules for Pakistani nationals, has emerged as a preferred entry point. However, upon arrival, many migrants are met with economic hardship, rising inflation, and language barriers. With few actual job offers and no government-verified recruiters in place, migrants quickly realize they have been misled. The minimum wage of $1,100, initially cited in the bilateral agreement, appears unrealistic in a country where the average monthly salary is between $670 and $700. Resultantly, many migrants attempt illegal crossings into neighbouring countries, including Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia, often in the hope of ultimately reaching Germany. Migration experts and policy analysts, including those from the Centre for Migration Research Pakistan (CMRP), are calling on the government to act urgently. Recommendations include launching public awareness campaigns on the risks of irregular migration, engaging with EU authorities to ensure the humane treatment of detained migrants, and enforcing strict action against unlicensed recruiting agents under the Emigration Ordinance, 1979. There is also a growing demand for Pakistan's missions abroad to provide emergency assistance, including temporary shelter, legal aid, and repatriation services. Unless urgent action is taken at both diplomatic and domestic levels, thousands more may be drawn into this growing humanitarian crisis - trapped between unfulfilled promises at home and hardened borders abroad. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
02-08-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
No developed framework yet to deploy large workforce in Belarus
ISLAMABAD: The Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE) has not developed any framework to assess the viability of deploying large workforce in Belarus, after signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), promising 150,000 jobs for skilled Pakistani workers. So far, there has been no public safety advisory from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development for Pakistani workers intended to work abroad. Details of the issue revealed that thousands of Pakistani nationals are now caught in a rising human migration crisis across Eastern Europe, using Belarus as a stepping stone to illegally enter Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia. The situation has escalated rapidly after migrants, lured by promises of overseas employment, found no real job prospects in Belarus - despite a high-profile agreement signed between Islamabad and Minsk earlier this year. The wave of migration follows Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's official visit to Belarus in April, during which a MOU was signed, promising 150,000 jobs for skilled Pakistani workers in sectors such as healthcare, IT, construction, and engineering. However, more than two months later, the plan remains entirely unimplemented. According to officials from the BE&OE, no framework has been developed, no licenced overseas employment promoters have been engaged, and no feasibility study has been conducted to assess the viability of deploying such a large workforce. 'There are no official channels or guidelines for sending workers to Belarus. Nothing has materialized since the agreement was signed,' confirmed a senior BE&OE officer, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter. 'In the absence of any structured migration pathway, desperate individuals are turning to illegal routes.' Belarus, which maintains relatively relaxed visa rules for Pakistani nationals, has emerged as a preferred entry point. However, upon arrival, many migrants are met with economic hardship, rising inflation, and language barriers. With few actual job offers and no government-verified recruiters in place, migrants quickly realize they have been misled. The minimum wage of $1,100, initially cited in the bilateral agreement, appears unrealistic in a country where the average monthly salary is between $670 and $700. Resultantly, many migrants attempt illegal crossings into neighbouring countries, including Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia, often in the hope of ultimately reaching Germany. Migration experts and policy analysts, including those from the Centre for Migration Research Pakistan (CMRP), are calling on the government to act urgently. Recommendations include launching public awareness campaigns on the risks of irregular migration, engaging with EU authorities to ensure the humane treatment of detained migrants, and enforcing strict action against unlicensed recruiting agents under the Emigration Ordinance, 1979. There is also a growing demand for Pakistan's missions abroad to provide emergency assistance, including temporary shelter, legal aid, and repatriation services. Unless urgent action is taken at both diplomatic and domestic levels, thousands more may be drawn into this growing humanitarian crisis - trapped between unfulfilled promises at home and hardened borders abroad. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
18-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Wage employment: Women in Pakistan earn significantly less than men: study
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani women in wage employment earn significantly less than men —by approximately 25 to 30 percent, depending on the wage metric. The disparity is especially stark in the informal economy, where the gap widens to 40 percent due to limited enforcement of labour laws and lack of protections. This was revealed at the launch of Pakistan's Gender Pay Gap Report. Stakeholders on this occasion unanimously agreed on short, medium, and long-term objectives and jointly developed a National Action Plan to address the gender pay gap. Participants emphasised that closing these disparities can increase women's labour force participation and drive inclusive economic growth. The national workshop — organised by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MOPHRD) in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) — brought together policymakers, employers, workers' representatives, and technical experts to identify practical policy and legal reforms to promote equal pay and wage equity. It identifies key drivers of this gap, including occupational segregation, informal work, and discriminatory practices. Crucially, much of the gap remains unexplained by observable factors such as education, skills, or occupation—pointing to deep-rooted, systemic inequality. While Pakistan has made some progress, narrowing the gap from 33 per cent in 2018, it continues to lag behind regional peers. Alongside a detailed legal and policy review, the report offers actionable recommendations for aligning Pakistan's labour legislation with ILO standards, particularly the Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No 100). The findings aim to support national stakeholders—government, employers, and workers—in crafting coordinated strategies to reduce the gender pay gap and advance social justice in the world of work. The event convened policymakers, employers, workers' organizations, members of minimum wage boards, labour inspectors, the national statistics institution, and academia to explore structural barriers that confine women to low-paying roles and limit their career progression. In his keynote address, Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, federal secretary MOPHRD, stated Pakistan is committed to ensuring equal pay for work of equal value. This report and action plan mark a critical step towards unpacking the barriers that hold women back in the economy. This will help Pakistan move progressively against its obligations as part of the ratified ILO Convention 100 on Equal Remuneration (1951) and Convention 111 on Discrimination (1958). Geir Tonstol, ILO Country Director for Pakistan, said, 'This workshop marks a pivotal step forward—from diagnosing the causes of the gender pay gap to developing a national action plan grounded in practical, scalable solutions. We now have the evidence, the commitment, and the partnerships to move from promise to practice. The ILO stands ready to support Pakistan in advancing fair and transparent wage-setting systems, formalising informal work, and creating real opportunities for women across all sectors.' Xavier Estupinan, wage specialist at ILO Decent Work Team, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, said, 'The report highlights the 'sticky floor' effect—where women are stuck in low-paid, low-mobility jobs, particularly in the informal economy. Addressing this requires adequate wage-setting mechanisms and meaningful social dialogue. Supporting women's transition to formal work is essential if we are to reduce wage gaps and ensure fairer, more inclusive labour markets.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Muscat Daily
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Muscat Daily
Pakistan honours its citizen in Oman for social service
Muscat – A Pakistani social worker based in Oman has been recognised by the government of Pakistan for years of quiet service supporting expatriates in distress – work he continues without an official title or organisational backing. Shaandar Ali Shah Bukhari, originally from Pakistan, received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, an agency under the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development. The certificate acknowledges his commitment to assisting destitute expatriates, particularly those caught in legal or financial crises within Oman's prison system. Over the years, Bukhari has helped repatriate more than 150 prisoners, including not only Pakistanis but also nationals of Bangladesh and Afghanistan. He also coordinates the return of deceased expatriates and runs a small wheelchair distribution initiative for the differently-abled. His efforts are self-managed, with no formal structure or fundraising mechanism. 'This honour means a lot, not just for me, but for every volunteer and well-wisher who stands up for those who have no voice,' Bukhari said. 'Helping prisoners and the needy is not just a social responsibility – it is a spiritual duty.' He credits the Pakistani embassy in Muscat and the broader expatriate community for their continued support. 'No humanitarian effort succeeds in isolation. It's always a team effort, driven by compassion and backed by belief,' he said. His repatriation work involves close coordination with legal teams and community members. In cases involving prisoners, the cost of return tickets is channelled through a local travel agency, Travel House, to ensure transparency. The certificate, issued by the chairman of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, is not the first recognition for Bukhari. He has also received the American Red Cross Life Saving Award, appreciation letters from governors in Pakistan, and the Outstanding Citizen of Pakistan Award. His work has been officially acknowledged by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources Development. Still, Bukhari says he draws strength not from awards, but from the people he helps. 'I may be doing this as a one-man show, but I never feel alone. The prayers and trust of the community are my strength,' he said.
