National Conference on Skills Needs in Gulf Countries: Challenges and Opportunities for Pakistan
Realizing the opportunities in emerging markets in GCC countries, the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), under the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MoOP&HRD) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), jointly agreed to hold this conference to create awareness about current and future skills in demand in GCC countries so that manpower export from Pakistan can be enhanced.
ISLAMABAD (ILO NEWS): The Conference was chaired by Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi, Federal Minister for MoOP&HRD. In his opening remarks, the Minister explained: “The Dubai 2020 Expo, the Qatar 2022 World Cup, in addition to the planned massive constructions projects, especially in Saudi Arabia are likely to continue to increase the demand for Pakistani migrants, both for skilled and semi-skilled workers. In order to meet such challenges, it is important that all stakeholders both in Public and Private sectors, especially the Skills Development Institutions and Overseas Employment Promoters should play their active role and prepare the manpower in marketable skills.” He assured that all possible efforts will be made to meet the challenges in the GCC countries, including the enhancement of protection of migrant workers. He also recognised and acknowledged the role of overseas employment promoters in the export of manpower from Pakistan.
Mr. Saif Ullah Chattha, the Federal Secretary MoOP&HRD, said that “Pakistan is the six (6) most populous country in the world and has 9th largest labour force. Since 1971-2013 more than 7 million Pakistanis have officially proceeded abroad for employment. Out of this total manpower export, about 96% have proceeded to the GCC countries. In May 2014 Pakistan received US$ 1438.36 million from workers’ remittances, which play a significant role in our country’s development. These migrant workers play a very important role in the socio economic development of the country therefore we must look after their interests at home and abroad. This seminar brings all key stakeholders together to discuss and plan how to best compete in the globalized world.” He also appreciated the efforts of ILO and OPF in taking lead to organise this important conference in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.
Mr. Iftikhar Baber, Managing Director, OPF and Mr. Haqbib ur Rehman Khan, Director General, Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment elaborated in their presentations the role of their respective organizations and initiatives taken for the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers. “The launch of the e-Gate system is a key initiate of the Bureau” said Mr. Habib ur Rehman Khan. The Managing Director of OPF also apprised the participants of the conference about new initiatives which have been taken for the betterment of the overseas Pakistanis and their dependents.
The conference is implemented under the overall framework of the ILO-EU funded project Promoting Effective Governance of Labour Migration from South Asia (SALM). The ILO/SALM project is also conducting a comprehensive research on occupations and skills in demand in key countries of destination – including Kuwait, Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE – for low-skilled migrant workers from Pakistan, India and Nepal. The preliminary findings of the study were discussed in the conference today.
Mr Francesco d’Ovidio, Director, ILO Country Office for Pakistan, explains that “the study will generate analytical and up to date information on occupations in demand during the 2014-2025 period, including skills requirements, working and living condition and wages. In countries of origin, including Pakistan, it will review current systems for provision of skills training including courses on offer and capacity of training providers in countries of origin and review the capacity and system for certification/skills testing for outgoing and returning migrant workers. The findings will be used to develop roadmaps for better alignment between training courses (in source) vis-a-vis occupations and skills in demand (in destination) and among returnees.”
“It is clear that there will be a continued increase in the demand of migrant workers in the GCC. The economic growth characterizing the GCC states, and the diversification of the economies, will continue to require a large, and growing, number of migrant workers. The construction sectors, will, however, remain the largest employer over the next 5-10 years period as the region is undertaking a number of massive investments in infrastructure. However, as these infrastructure projects are completed, other workers will be in demand, such as hospitality workers running hotels and restaurants, security guards, maintenance of infrastructure etc. Several economies are also expanding their technology, manufacturing, heavy industries and trade sectors, which will will require large numbers of manpower to create, sustain and manage” summarizes Ms. Sabine Roth, ILO Consultant responsible for the research on skills in demand in the GCC, and adds that the report she is finalizing over the next few month will provide further details.
The Conference brought together some 60 representatives including government officials, policy makers, technical training institutes, provincial TEVTAs, overseas employment promoters, employers’ and workers’ representatives as well as non-governmental organizations from all over the country to initiate a discussion among key stakeholders and a process to develop a road map on how to respond to the current and future skills and occupations in demand in GCC countries.
In the concluding section, the Secretary expressed a hope that future conferences on this topic will be arranged in close partnership with the international community.
The ILO/SALM project is implemented with the support of the European Union (EU). It is aimed to promote the management of labour migration from India, Nepal and Pakistan to the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) with a focus on Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE. The project – which has a total budget of € 2,407,186 of which EU is contributing € 1,925,749 – will run until May 2016.
“The project will provide support to some 20,000 migrant workers through access to reliable information on overseas employment opportunities; reduced migration costs and abuses by improving recruitment services; increased protection in countries of origin and destination; as well as enhanced training and portability of skills for outgoing and returning migrant workers” explains Ms Anna Engblom, SALM Project Manager.
In Pakistan, the key project partner is the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development. The project also partners with workers’ and employers’ organizations, private recruitment agencies, NGOs, migrant associations and diaspora organizations, researchers and others in reaching its objectives.
Ms Sadia Hameed
National Project Coordinator, SALM Project
ILO Country Office for Pakistan
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Mr. Saif Ullah Chattha, the Federal Secretary MoOP&HRD, said that “Pakistan is the six (6) most populous country in the world and has 9th largest labour force. Since 1971-2013 more than 7 million Pakistanis have officially proceeded abroad for employment. Out of this total manpower export, about 96% have proceeded to the GCC countries. In May 2014 Pakistan received US$ 1438.36 million from workers’ remittances, which play a significant role in our country’s development. These migrant workers play a very important role in the socio economic development of the country therefore we must look after their interests at home and abroad. This seminar brings all key stakeholders together to discuss and plan how to best compete in the globalized world.” He also appreciated the efforts of ILO and OPF in taking lead to organise this important conference in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.
Mr. Iftikhar Baber, Managing Director, OPF and Mr. Haqbib ur Rehman Khan, Director General, Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment elaborated in their presentations the role of their respective organizations and initiatives taken for the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers. “The launch of the e-Gate system is a key initiate of the Bureau” said Mr. Habib ur Rehman Khan. The Managing Director of OPF also apprised the participants of the conference about new initiatives which have been taken for the betterment of the overseas Pakistanis and their dependents.
The conference is implemented under the overall framework of the ILO-EU funded project Promoting Effective Governance of Labour Migration from South Asia (SALM). The ILO/SALM project is also conducting a comprehensive research on occupations and skills in demand in key countries of destination – including Kuwait, Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE – for low-skilled migrant workers from Pakistan, India and Nepal. The preliminary findings of the study were discussed in the conference today.
Mr Francesco d’Ovidio, Director, ILO Country Office for Pakistan, explains that “the study will generate analytical and up to date information on occupations in demand during the 2014-2025 period, including skills requirements, working and living condition and wages. In countries of origin, including Pakistan, it will review current systems for provision of skills training including courses on offer and capacity of training providers in countries of origin and review the capacity and system for certification/skills testing for outgoing and returning migrant workers. The findings will be used to develop roadmaps for better alignment between training courses (in source) vis-a-vis occupations and skills in demand (in destination) and among returnees.”
“It is clear that there will be a continued increase in the demand of migrant workers in the GCC. The economic growth characterizing the GCC states, and the diversification of the economies, will continue to require a large, and growing, number of migrant workers. The construction sectors, will, however, remain the largest employer over the next 5-10 years period as the region is undertaking a number of massive investments in infrastructure. However, as these infrastructure projects are completed, other workers will be in demand, such as hospitality workers running hotels and restaurants, security guards, maintenance of infrastructure etc. Several economies are also expanding their technology, manufacturing, heavy industries and trade sectors, which will will require large numbers of manpower to create, sustain and manage” summarizes Ms. Sabine Roth, ILO Consultant responsible for the research on skills in demand in the GCC, and adds that the report she is finalizing over the next few month will provide further details.
The Conference brought together some 60 representatives including government officials, policy makers, technical training institutes, provincial TEVTAs, overseas employment promoters, employers’ and workers’ representatives as well as non-governmental organizations from all over the country to initiate a discussion among key stakeholders and a process to develop a road map on how to respond to the current and future skills and occupations in demand in GCC countries.
In the concluding section, the Secretary expressed a hope that future conferences on this topic will be arranged in close partnership with the international community.
The ILO/SALM project is implemented with the support of the European Union (EU). It is aimed to promote the management of labour migration from India, Nepal and Pakistan to the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) with a focus on Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE. The project – which has a total budget of € 2,407,186 of which EU is contributing € 1,925,749 – will run until May 2016.
“The project will provide support to some 20,000 migrant workers through access to reliable information on overseas employment opportunities; reduced migration costs and abuses by improving recruitment services; increased protection in countries of origin and destination; as well as enhanced training and portability of skills for outgoing and returning migrant workers” explains Ms Anna Engblom, SALM Project Manager.
In Pakistan, the key project partner is the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development. The project also partners with workers’ and employers’ organizations, private recruitment agencies, NGOs, migrant associations and diaspora organizations, researchers and others in reaching its objectives.
For further information please contact:
Ms Sadia Hameed
National Project Coordinator, SALM Project
ILO Country Office for Pakistan