ISLAMABAD: In a concerning development with potentially severe repercussions for a large number of Pakistanis working abroad, several Gulf nations have recently voiced their dissatisfaction with the Pakistani expatriate labor force.
This issue was brought to light during a recent session of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis, where Secretary for Overseas Pakistanis, Dr. Arshad, reported growing discontent from countries including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait.
Dr. Arshad informed the committee that these nations have raised various concerns about the conduct and effectiveness of Pakistani workers abroad.
The report follows an earlier disclosure from September 2023, highlighting that a significant number of Pakistanis leaving the country are beggars who exploit pilgrimage visas to engage in begging in countries like Saudi Arabia.
According to the official statement, a staggering 90% of arrested beggars abroad were Pakistani.
The current issues, however, extend beyond begging. Dr. Arshad’s briefing revealed that inappropriate behavior by Pakistani expatriates, such as filming videos in front of women in Dubai, has been reported.
Additionally, there are growing concerns about the high crime rates involving Pakistanis in the UAE, with them allegedly responsible for 50% of the reported crimes.
This paints a troubling picture of the Pakistani workforce, which comprises around 0.6 to 0.8 million individuals traveling abroad annually, with a significant 96% heading to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
The committee also heard that the number of Pakistani expatriates in the UAE has surpassed the allocated quota of 1.6 million, reaching 1.8 million.
Similar issues are reported in Malaysia and Iraq, where Pakistani workers face legal troubles and substandard conditions. In Iraq, Pakistanis are reportedly employed as cheap labor and are often kept under harsh conditions.
Senator Nasir Abbas added that Bangladeshi workers are now securing more jobs compared to their Pakistani counterparts, and Pakistani workers in Iraq are often described as “helpless” and treated poorly.
Further complicating the situation, GCC countries are shifting their focus towards other regions for labor, particularly Africa, where workers are perceived to be cheaper.
Reports indicate that Pakistani workers in the Gulf are criticized for various issues including inadequate work ethics and poor job performance.
In Kuwait, Pakistani nurses have been accused of shirking duties and failing to adapt to local languages and job expectations.
In Qatar, laborers have refused to comply with safety regulations, such as wearing helmets, and in Saudi Arabia, workers are required to pass rigorous tests set by the National Centre for Human Resources Development (Takamul).
In response to these challenges, the Pakistani government is taking steps to address the issues faced by its expatriate workforce.
The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis is actively collecting data on job availability and new professions in different countries.
Additionally, a cabinet committee led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been established to tackle immigration-related concerns.
The aim is to improve the perception of Pakistani workers abroad by enhancing their skills and ensuring they meet the expectations of foreign employers.
