4 Lakh workers will be sent to Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi: Raja Ashfaq Sarwar

Lahore: Minister for Labour & Human Resource Raja Ashfaq Sarwar has said that Punjab government is giving final shape to a strategy for providing facilities like identity card, passport, visa, security clearance and vaccination to the skilled and unskilled workers going abroad under one window operation for Punjab overseas labour. He said that two lakh skilled and semi skilled workers will be sent abroad from Punjab during next four years for mega infrastructure projects of Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

He said this while presiding over a meeting regarding training courses according to modern demands and provision of skilled workforce to Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and international market at Social Security Head Office, today.

Provincial Assembly Member Saira Iftikhar, Secretary Labour Ishrat Ali, Director HRS Global Syed Fakhar Ahmed, Dr. Javed Gul and representatives of TEVTA, Punjab Vocational Training Council, PSDF and other training institutes attended the meeting.

Raja Ashfaq Sarwar told the meeting that Qatar, Abu Dhabi and Dubai governments have demanded skilled and unskilled workers for the projects of infrastructure particularly construction, under which, vast job opportunities will be available for two lakh skilled and semi skilled force on best remuneration. He said that government and private sector will provide training to two lakh skilled and semi skilled workers during next four years for providing them opportunities at international labour market particularly Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

He said that not only Pakistan will earn foreign exchange of more than 60 billion rupees annually but besides job opportunities, the living standard of more than 20 lakh persons of workers’ families will also be enhanced. He said that Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi governments have demanded manpower including Computer Operators, Paramedics, Carpenters, Steel Fixers, Masons, Welders, Heavy Duty Drivers, Crane Operators, Machine Motor Mechanics, Plumbers, Shovel Operators and other skilled workers.

The Minister said that all arrangements have been completed for providing training to the workers at vocational training institutes at Gujranwala, Sheikhupura and Lahore. He said that the demand of such a large number of skilled and unskilled workers in international labour market will help increase economic development and provide job opportunities to them.