Pakistan has put forward a sweeping framework aimed at establishing ethical labour mobility and portable social security benefits for migrant workers across the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), calling for standardized, fair recruitment practices to protect the rights of millions.
Speaking at the Sixth Islamic Conference of Labour Ministers (ICLM) in Doha today, Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Chaudhry Salik Hussain introduced a comprehensive four-pronged strategy to bolster workforce capabilities and drive skills development throughout the member states.
A central element of the proposal is the launch of an OIC Skills Partnership, which would concentrate on training personnel in high-demand fields such as digital technology, renewable energy, and the care economy.
The minister advocated for the creation of Ethical Labour Mobility Corridors, using standardized bilateral templates to ensure just recruitment and protection measures consistent with the OIC Charter”s principles of fairness and justice.
Mr. Hussain also underscored the importance of developing portable social security schemes for migrant personnel, ensuring their years of service are recognized regardless of where they work. He further suggested expanding joint initiatives under the Islamic Development Bank”s Youth Employment Support Programme (YES) to cultivate entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems.
Expressing a commitment to these initiatives, the minister stated that Pakistan is prepared to host pilot projects and training exchanges in collaboration with other OIC Member States and international development partners. He stressed the need to move beyond fragmented efforts and embrace regional integration to unlock the Islamic world”s vast potential.
In a direct appeal, Mr. Hussain proposed that Gulf countries, as global hubs for manpower, consider broadening employment and visa opportunities for workers from Islamic nations to foster solidarity, security, and shared prosperity.
The minister affirmed that Pakistan is ready to work closely with OIC institutions, including the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), SESRIC, COMCEC, and the OIC Labour Centre, on joint programs covering skills, data sharing, and social protection.
He noted that over 11 million overseas Pakistanis contribute to global economies, sending home more than 38 billion dollars in remittances annually.
Highlighting domestic advancements, Mr. Hussain shared that over 200,000 youth in Pakistan have received internationally aligned skills certifications under the National Vocational Qualification Framework (NVQF). The country is also developing targeted corridors for safe and regular migration to meet workforce demands in sectors like construction, manufacturing, and healthcare across the Gulf and beyond.
Pakistan fully endorses the Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for skilled professionals, which, if collectively implemented, could open new employment avenues and help create a seamlessly integrated Islamic labour market, he added.