The negotiations between European countries and Pakistan government to recruit local manpower have met a dead end owing to law and order situation in the country. Sources in Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) told Business Recorder on Saturday that the government of Pakistan had started negotiations with Italy and France to induct local manpower for their industrial needs.

Oct 26, 2008 - Business Recorder
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The Federal Cabinet has been informed that the Italian government has approached Labour and Manpower Division for signing an agreement to strengthen co-operation in migration matters regarding provision of jobs to migrant workers/professionals.

Dec 12, 2008 - Business Recorder
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------National Migration Policy drafted

The Ministry of Labour and Manpower has drafted a new "National Migration Policy" for which a national consultative meeting would be held on Tuesday. The overseas migration plays an important role in the economic progress and prosperity of individuals as well as nations of both countries of origin and destination.

Dec 30, 2008 - Business Recorder
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Need to produce quality manpower highlighted

Islamabad — Participants at a consultative meeting on draft of National Migration Policy held here on Tuesday underlined the need for producing quality manpower and its effective and aggressive marketing abroad.

They said the migration policy would help in promoting overseas migration and protecting rights of migrants besides facilitating them to work in decent and workable atmosphere abroad.

They were of the view that Pakistani diaspora has sufficient potential to contribute in strengthening of national economy by sending their remittances through legal means.

The meeting was organized by Ministry of Labour and Manpower Division in collaboration with International Labour Organization (ILO) at a local hotel.

Chairman Policy Planning Cell (PPC), Ministry of Labour and Manpower Dr. Sabur Ghayur presented draft of the national policy before participants of the meeting.

He said the national policy was focussing on to increase the flow of sending Pakistani workforce abroad at better wages.

Dr. Sabur Ghayur said the country has immense potential of producing quality manpower and enabling it to penetrate in world markets, underlining the importance of setting up vocational training centres across the country.

He said multi-billion dollars projects were in pipeline in various gulf countries and with the aggressive marketing, a major share of exporting Pakistani labour could be achieved.

“There is need to conduct road shows to improve image of Pakistan and its manpower abroad, while in Pakistan there should be job fairs,” the Chairman PPC said, adding that setting up of computerized database containing details of available skilled, semi-skilled, highly-skilled and professionals manpower inter- connected with major cities would greatly help in sending them abroad under a protective cover.

Malik Asif Hayat, Secretary, Labour and Manpower Division in his concluding address highlighted the importance of Pakistanis diaspora and its valuable contribution towards strengthening of the national economy.

He said the government was committed to prepare an effective national policy aimed at facilitating the intending migrants, enabling them to earn a respectable livelihood for their families.

Earlier in his opening remarks, M. Liaqat Munir Rao, Joint Secretary (A/E) Labour and Manpower Division said the policy was being formulated in consultation with all stakeholders.

He said the PPC had also organized provincial consultative meetings during October-November 2008 in collaboration with ILO.—APP

Pakobserve, December 31 2008