UAE, Saudi Arabia warns Pakistani workers on behavioral issues

ISLAMABAD: In a concerning development with potentially wide-reaching effects on many Pakistanis, several Gulf countries have raised issues regarding Pakistani expatriates and the labor force.

During a Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis meeting, Secretary Overseas Pakistanis Dr. Arshad reported that the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait have expressed reservations about various matters concerning overseas Pakistanis.

This disclosure follows a report from the ministry in September 2023, which revealed to the same committee that beggars are the most frequent among Pakistanis leaving the country.

The UAE has issued a warning about potential problems if the behavior of Pakistani expatriates does not improve. Saudi Arabia has also urged Pakistan not to send “beggars and sick people” abroad. Officials have reported that Pakistanis are involved in 50% of crimes in the UAE.

Moreover, during a meeting, Dr. Arshad revealed that the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait have expressed concerns about various issues related to Pakistani employees.

Additionally, Dr. Arshad noted that Pakistani beggars often travel to Iraq and Saudi Arabia under the pretense of pilgrimage and that 90% of arrested beggars are Pakistani. The current concerns, however, focus on broader issues such as inappropriate behavior by Pakistanis in the UAE, including incidents of making videos in front of women.

Each year, about 600,000 to 800,000 Pakistanis go abroad, with 96% traveling to GCC(Gulf countries). The UAE has reported a sudden increase in Pakistani workers, from 1.6 million to 1.8 million, and concerns about laborers overstaying visas and engaging in criminal activities. In Iraq, Pakistani workers face harsh conditions, and in Malaysia, many are imprisoned after overstaying.

Senator Nasir Abbas highlighted that Bangladeshis are securing more jobs compared to Pakistanis, and Pakistanis in Iraq face severe conditions. He noted that development projects in Iraq are creating a demand for labor, but Pakistani workers often face significant challenges.

In response to these issues, the Overseas Ministry officials are working to improve job training and address concerns raised by GCC countries. The ministry is also gathering data on job opportunities and new professions abroad and has formed a cabinet committee led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address immigration matters.

The officials emphasized the need to change the perception of Pakistani workers to be seen as skilled professionals.