Pakistan and the Philippines have initiated a high-level dialogue to exchange best practices on social security, training, and reintegration mechanisms for their vast overseas workforces, signalling a potential overhaul of existing welfare systems for millions of migrant labourers.
According to an official report today, the discussions took place during a meeting between Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Pakistan”s Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, and Hans Leo J. Cacdac, the Philippines” Secretary for Migrant Workers, on the periphery of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue 2026.
A key point of deliberation was the social security framework for expatriate workers. The Chairman of Pakistan’s Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) provided a detailed briefing on its eligibility criteria, benefit structures, and financial model, while the Philippine delegation presented an overview of its corresponding pension systems.
Both delegations expressed a strong desire to conduct a more in-depth study of each other’s social welfare models to learn from their respective experiences and successful practices.
The Philippine officials shared insights into their nation”s comprehensive pre-departure training programme for individuals seeking employment abroad. In response, Minister Hussain detailed the vocational skills development role of Pakistan’s National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and outlined the functions of other key bodies like the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) and the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE).
The visiting delegation conveyed its interest in gaining a deeper comprehension of the legal and regulatory structures that govern these Pakistani institutions.
The two nations concluded by agreeing to maintain close engagement and continue sharing information on worker registration, skills enhancement, and reintegration strategies, aiming to fortify cooperation and mutually benefit from their distinct expertise.
Senior diplomatic officials from both the Pakistan and Philippines missions in the UAE also attended the high-level talks.