OEC to send over 2,000 workers to Malaysia

The Senate Standing Committee on Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis has stressed upon the authorities concerned to chalk out viable policies to solve the genuine problems of Pakistanis living abroad and work with zeal and devotion for the betterment of expatriate Pakistanis, an official statement said on Wednesday.
The Senate body met here on Wednesday under the Chairmanship of Senator Naeem Hussain Chattha. The Senate Standing Committee made the observations while having a detailed briefing on the functions, organisational structure of the Labour and Manpower Division, organisations under its control and also about the ongoing projects and development plans being undertaken by the Ministry.
Labour and Manpower Division Secretary Malik Asif Hayat informed the Members that Pakistani skilled labour force was in great demand in the Middle Eastern and Malaysian markets. He added that the number would increase with the passage of time as agreements had been signed with the international organisations in the fields of labour and social security.
He said 2,000 raw labours /unskilled workers would be sent to Malaysia through the Overseas Employment Corporation for the first time.
Labour and Manpower Secretary told the Members that provincial governments were being requested to initiate programme aimed at increasing the number of skilled and professional labour in the country. He disclosed that labour laws were being consolidated and focus was being laid on the development of human resources in the country.
The Members of the Committee were happy to learn that OEC had been engaged in the process of sending unskilled workers, which would save the poor from paying high fees to the private employment promoters.
The Committee, however, directed the Labour and Manpower Division to select best possible persons who could not only work hard in tough conditions but could also create a favourable image of Pakistani labour in the Malaysian market. The Committee expressed the view that policies aimed at increasing the availability of skilled labour in the country should be formulated.
The Committee directed the Ministry of Labour and Manpower Secretary to make efforts to generate more employment opportunities in all categories of skilled labour. The Members expressed the view that Pakistani expatriates were their valuable assets and their genuine problems should be solved on priority basis so that they might contribute more to the socio-economic development of the country in the shape of foreign exchange.
Senate Standing Committee on Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis Chairman Senator Naeem Hussain Chattha lauded the services of the retiring Members of the Committee and expressed hope that newly elected Members would put forward valuable suggestions /recommendations to provide relief to the Pakistanis living abroad.
Senators Semeen Siddiqui, Fauzia Fakhar-uz-Zaman, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Tariq Azeem, Sahibzada Khalid Jan and Raza Muhammad Raza also attended the meeting. Ministry of Labour and Manpower Division Secretary and senior officers of the Ministry were also present.