Doha, 28 May 2024 (QT)

By Ashraf Siddiqui

Pakistan’s cabinet headed by Prime Minister Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif has recently ratified a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Pakistan and Qatar to enhance collaboration in labour mobility, a Pakistani official has confirmed to Qatar Tribune.

Qatar Tribune learned that the said MoU draft proposed by Qatar aimed at exchanging expertise in labour relations, labour inspections, and occupational safety and health.

Talking to Qatar Tribune in Islamabad recently, Jawad Sohrab Malik, Special Assistant to Former Interim Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources Development, praised Qatari people’s traditional hospitality.

He said he was inspired by Qatar’s comprehensive transformation spanning infrastructure, economic progress, peace and security, cleanliness, and the harmonious co-existence among its extensive expatriate worker community.

Malik said that during his official visit to Qatar in January this year, he had fruitful and very positive meetings with Minister of Labour of Qatar HE Dr Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, government officials, and top management of some of the leading private sector companies.

He stressed the importance of ratification and implementation of MoUs signed between both the countries, especially those relating to labour sector. More than 45 MoUs and agreements have been signed between Qatar and Pakistan.

Admiring the groundbreaking labour reforms introduced by Qatar, Malik said the country has set a benchmark among the GCC states. He added that those reforms encompass various measures such as the implementation of non-discriminatory minimum wages, elimination of exit-re-entry permits, regulations ensuring safe working conditions during extreme heat, establishment of a Labour Disputes Settlement Committee, creation of Workforce Support and Insurance Fund, the introduction of Qatar Visa Centers (QVC) in major labour-supplying countries, including Pakistan, the incorporation of worker representatives in Joint Committees within large organisations; among other initiatives.

Malik thanked the leadership of Qatar for their care for the expatriate workers and having deep concern on solving their issues. He said that during his meetings with some of the Pakistani workers, he was also told about the quality and state-of-the-art medical facilities available for a common person in government hospitals.

Qatar’s facilitation of visa on-arrival for businessmen, tourists from over 80 countries, including Pakistan, and foreign investors is commendable and deserving of recognition, Malik added.

Talking about role of Pakistani expatriate workers, he said that Pakistan is one of the major contributors to the global workforce, fulfilling the demands of burgeoning economies worldwide, with over 10 million Pakistanis employed abroad, spanning various skill levels, a significant portion serving in the GCC states.

Malik added that annual remittances from overseas Pakistanis of around $30 billion are the primary source of foreign exchange, bolstering the nation’s economy significantly.

Replying to a question about addressing an array of issues faced by the overseas Pakistanis, he said that Pakistan has deployed labour attaches in eight countries. Notably, in Qatar, two labour attaches and their teams are dedicated to aiding Pakistani passport holders in resolving employment-related grievances and addressing other concerns promptly and effectively.