Islamabad: Pakistan and Oman have agreed to expedite finalisation of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance labour exchange, enabling better job opportunities for Pakistani workers in Oman. The news was sourced on September 29.
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According to the details, the MoU will facilitate the movement of Pakistani workers to Oman, offering them better job opportunities. This agreement was made during a meeting in Muscat between Pakistan’s Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Salik, and Oman’s Minister of Labour Dr Mahad bin Said bin Ali Baowain. Salik, currently on a three-day visit to Oman, emphasised Pakistan’s reforms to improve emigration and technical training to meet international standards.
Oman is the third-largest employer of Pakistani workers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with 360,000 Pakistanis working mainly in construction, oil and gas, manufacturing, logistics, and retail. Their remittances surpass USD 1 billion annually, contributing to Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves.
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Salik announced plans for a mandatory pre-departure orientation for workers going abroad and encouraged Oman to use Pakistan’s Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) for skilled manpower. Dr Mahad praised the role of Pakistani workers in Oman’s development and expressed a commitment to simplifying the migration process.
Both ministers agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation and continue strengthening their partnership.