Criminal activities, lack of skills and work ethics: Gulf countries getting fed up with Pakistan workers

The meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistan was held in Islamabad on Tuesday under the chair of Senator Zeeshan Khanzada while Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary Dr Arshad apprised the committee about complaints and challenges being faced by overseas Pakistanis especially labour abroad, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The secretary told the committee that currently, 2 million Pakistanis were living in Saudi Arabia who send 7 billion dollars of foreign exchange to Pakistan annually. He said Saudi Arabia has demanded Pakistan not to send beggars, sick people and people without skills to the kingdom.

He said foreign countries were getting disappointed with the attitude and work ethic of Pakistani citizens. The official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told the Senate committee that Pakistanis are involved in criminal activities in UAE as their official has told the Ministry that in 50 percent of total crimes in the UAE, Pakistanis are found involved in 50 percent of the cases. Due to the negative attitude of Pakistani citizens, various countries are preferring workers from other countries. During the briefing, the Senate standing committee also sought the details of 4000 employment companies. Saudi Arabia has asked for 10,000 bike delivery boys.

It was told that the Saudi government has sent back 92 Pakistani nurses as they were not holding their relevant degrees. The Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that after the investigation, it was revealed that the middleman was responsible for the return of the nurses. He said the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis has decided to create a new immigration portal.

Secretary Overseas Pakistanis Dr Arshad apprised the forum that the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait have voiced reservations on various issues of overseas Pakistanis.

The official said that Pakistani beggars travel to Iraq and Saudi Arabia under the guise of pilgrimage and then indulge in begging. Out of all the beggars who were arrested, 90% turned out to be Pakistanis, the secretary said.

UAE was concerned about the inappropriate behaviour of Pakistanis who started making videos in front of women in Dubai.

Secretary Dr Arshad apprised the committee that around 0.6 to 0.8 million Pakistanis go abroad each year, of which 200,000 to 300,000 come back. Out of the total people travelling abroad, 96% go to Middle East countries, they said.

The officials informed the committee that the UAE informed us that we had a quota of 1.6 million, which has exceeded to 1.8 million. Pakistanis, they said, visit Malaysia for a year, extend their stay, and are then sent to jail.

Saudi authorities have asked Pakistan not to send beggars and sick people. They need skilled labour with a command of technology.

The overseas ministry officials said that Pakistanis going abroad are unskilled and noted that our people aren't being trained as well. They also noted that Pakistanis' work ethics, work attitudes, and involvement in crime are big issues.

The ministry said the Gulf states were now looking towards Africa as their workers offer even cheaper labour compared to Pakistani expatriates.

Kuwait has complained of Pakistani nurses refusing to perform certain job-related duties and instead put responsibilities on ward boys for regular activities such as helping patients.

While Qatar has complained that Pakistani labourers refuse to wear safety helmets.

Reporter: Rozina Ali