Muscat: Pakistan and Oman have agreed to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on labor and manpower exchange, aiming to boost the professional capacity of Pakistani workers and facilitate their smooth transition to the Omani workforce. The agreement was reached during a meeting between Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Pakistan’s Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, and his Omani counterpart, Dr. Mahad bin Said bin Ali Baowain, Minister of Labour of the Sultanate of Oman.

According to Press Information Department, the discussions highlighted ongoing efforts by Pakistan to improve the emigration process and professional training of its workers to meet international standards. Minister Hussain is on a three-day visit to Oman, which will also include meetings with other Omani ministers and the inauguration of a new branch of the Pakistan International School in Muscat.

The meeting covered significant reforms by the Government of Pakistan, such as upgrading technical training centers and initiating a compulsory pre-departure orientation program for workers heading overseas. This program aims to educate them about labor laws, workers’ rights and duties, and cultural sensitivities in the host country.

Oman, a major employer of the Pakistani workforce, particularly in sectors like construction, oil and gas, and healthcare, benefits significantly from the skills of Pakistani workers. The two nations discussed enhancing cooperation in technical training and skill development, tailored to the needs of the Omani market. Dr. Baowain affirmed the strong bilateral relations and expressed Oman’s commitment to improving the migration process for Pakistani workers.

Chaudhry Salik Hussain also extended an invitation to Dr. Baowain to visit Pakistan and explore potential joint ventures in workforce training, reflecting a mutual interest in strengthening ties through skilled labor exchange.