ILO backs Pakistan’s push for Safer Overseas Employment Opportunities
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
ISLAMABAD – International Labour Organization ILO joins hands with the Pakistani government to strengthen fair recruitment systems and promote safer labour migration for overseas workers. Government officials gathered in Islamabad this week for a major training initiative aimed at improving fair recruitment systems, strengthening labour migration governance, and enhancing protection for Pakistani workers seeking employment abroad. The two-day programme was organised by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation under the project “Advancing Safe and Fair Labour Migration.” The initiative is funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), co-funded by the European Union, and supported by GIZ Pakistan. Pakistan remains one of the world’s leading labour-sending countries. Official figures shared during the training showed that more than 763,000 Pakistanis migrated abroad for employment through formal channels in 2025 alone, contributing significantly to destination economies while supporting millions of families in Pakistan through remittances. The training brought together representatives from key institutions, including the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE), Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC), Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), provincial labour and human resource departments, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authorities (TVETAs). Speaking at the event, ILO Country Director for Pakistan Geir Tonstol emphasized the importance of building a migration system that protects workers and promotes decent employment opportunities. “Labour migration should create opportunities for workers — not expose them to debt, exploitation or abuse,” he said, noting that many workers still face excessive recruitment costs, misleading information, and vulnerability even before departure. He stressed that strengthening fair recrui