The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development and the ILO launches the first ever Migrant Resource Centre in Lahore
The ILO in Pakistan, through its EU funded South Asia Labour Migration Governance Project, has entered into a partnership with the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development to establish the first Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) in Pakistan. The MRC will be based in the Protectorate of Emigrates offices in Lahore, a space that is visited by hundreds of Pakistani migrant workers on a daily basis. The MRC will provide a range of services including information on safe migration and foreign employment options, as well as other support services that will facilitate their migration process.
ISLAMABAD (ILO News): The ILO in Pakistan, through its EU funded South Asia Labour Migration Governance Project, has entered into a partnership with the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development to establish the first Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) in Pakistan. The MRC will be based in the Protectorate of Emigrates offices in Lahore, a space that is visited by hundreds of Pakistani migrant workers on a daily basis. The MRC will provide a range of services including information on safe migration and foreign employment options, as well as other support services that will facilitate their migration process.
The MRC will deliver information services to potential/migrants, pre-departure orientation, supplemented by targeted outreach and awareness-raising activities in areas of high emigration.
Pakistan is a major supplier of low- and semi-skilled migrant workers to the Middle East. Between 1971 -2014, more than 7.8 million Pakistanis have officially proceeded abroad for employment, out of this total manpower export, about 96% have proceeded to the six GCC countries, where UAE and Saudi Arabia are the main countries of destination.
Migrants often lack information about safe migration and rights at work, and have limited access to support services. Many potential/migrants are also unaware about recruitment process, lack information about cultural, social and economic norms at the destination country and thus face problems and may end up with exploitation and abuse at workplace. Many of them are also unaware of the practical and legal processes, for migrating through legal channels and maintaining legal status while in destination. Migrant workers often have a very limited understanding of their rights at work and where to go in case their rights are violated. In countries of origin, migrants tend to get information from acquaintances, agents or recruitment agencies; while in countries of destination, they face language barriers, do not know where to seek assistance, are intimidated by service providers, or cannot reach services. This lack of awareness undermines orderly migration and puts migrants at risk of exploitation.
For further information please contact:
Ms Sadia Hameed
National Programme Officer, SALM Project
ILO Country Office for Pakistan
Email:
The MRC will deliver information services to potential/migrants, pre-departure orientation, supplemented by targeted outreach and awareness-raising activities in areas of high emigration.
Pakistan is a major supplier of low- and semi-skilled migrant workers to the Middle East. Between 1971 -2014, more than 7.8 million Pakistanis have officially proceeded abroad for employment, out of this total manpower export, about 96% have proceeded to the six GCC countries, where UAE and Saudi Arabia are the main countries of destination.
Migrants often lack information about safe migration and rights at work, and have limited access to support services. Many potential/migrants are also unaware about recruitment process, lack information about cultural, social and economic norms at the destination country and thus face problems and may end up with exploitation and abuse at workplace. Many of them are also unaware of the practical and legal processes, for migrating through legal channels and maintaining legal status while in destination. Migrant workers often have a very limited understanding of their rights at work and where to go in case their rights are violated. In countries of origin, migrants tend to get information from acquaintances, agents or recruitment agencies; while in countries of destination, they face language barriers, do not know where to seek assistance, are intimidated by service providers, or cannot reach services. This lack of awareness undermines orderly migration and puts migrants at risk of exploitation.
For further information please contact:
Ms Sadia HameedNational Programme Officer, SALM Project
ILO Country Office for Pakistan
Email: