Pakistan engages Bangladesh, Philippines on migrant workers’ welfare and skills development

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan held high-level discussions with Bangladesh and the Philippines on shared challenges and best practices for the welfare, skills training, and social protection of overseas workers, officials said on Sunday.

Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain led the meetings on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue, engaging with Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment of Bangladesh, and Atty. Hans Leo J. Cacdac, Secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers of the Philippines. Senior officials from Pakistan and the respective diplomatic missions in the UAE also attended the sessions.

During the discussions with Bangladesh, the Pakistani delegation briefed counterparts on the initiatives of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and the role of the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) in providing social protection to workers. The Bangladeshi side shared insights into the operational framework of its Technical Training Centers.

Both sides explored avenues to enhance bilateral cooperation in education, health, tourism, and trade, emphasizing structured collaboration in recruitment processes, skills training, and reintegration mechanisms for returning workers.

In the meeting with the Philippines, Pakistan highlighted its vocational skills development programs under NAVTTC and briefed the Philippine delegation on other key institutions, including the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) and the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE).

The Philippines shared its pre-departure training model for migrant workers and details of its pension and social security systems. Both parties expressed interest in studying each other’s models and best practices, particularly regarding legal and regulatory frameworks, registration, training, and reintegration mechanisms.

Both meetings concluded with a commitment to maintain continued engagement, share technical information, and strengthen cooperation to benefit the overseas workforce of all three countries.

Officials emphasized that learning from shared experiences would help improve social protection, facilitate skills development, and enhance employment opportunities for expatriate workers.