Islamabad, The Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, led by Senator Engr. Rukhsana Zuberi, convened at Parliament House on Tuesday to address various challenges faced by overseas Pakistani workers. The meeting focused on enhancing the employability of Pakistani workers abroad and improving government policies related to overseas employment.
According to Senate of Pakistan, the committee delved into the status of the 24 Letters of Intent signed at the HRALS Expo in Riyadh in December 2023. Senator Zuberi inquired about the job descriptions of Community Welfare Attachés (CWA) and requested the 2023 quarterly report of CWA activities in Saudi Arabia. The Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association (POEPA) representatives present at the meeting discussed the private sector’s contributions and challenges in increasing the employability of Pakistani workers abroad.
The Overseas Employment Cooperation (OEC) emphasized their role and performance as equal stakeholders in government policies. The Secretary Overseas Pakistanis assured the committee of implementing its recommendations, stressing the need for restructuring the OEC and developing a comprehensive digital system for matching international skill demands with Pakistani workers.
Senator Zuberi highlighted the importance of redefining the role of Community Welfare Attachés and urged the government to create more user-friendly policies for overseas employees. The meeting also focused on the necessity to update the Emigration Policy to align with international standards, with plans to involve POEPA in consultations for a master plan on skill development and immigration policies. The session was attended by various departmental representatives, reflecting a collaborative approach to addressing the challenges in the private sector and enhancing overseas employment opportunities for Pakistanis.