ICMPD organises a one-day consultative session

ICMPD organises a one-day consultative session in collaboration with Pakistan Overseas Employment Association (POEPA) in Islamabad
Islamabad: ICMPD organises a one-day consultative session. The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), through the Migrant Resource Centre (MRC), has partnered with the Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association (POEPA) to conduct a capacity building training and consultative session for
several Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs). This initiative aims to enhance the skills and knowledge of OEPs, equipping them to provide the best possible service to job seekers aspiring to work abroad and addressing the challenges faced by workers in Pakistan and abroad.

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The training featured two sessions covering topics including fair recruitment practices, legal
frameworks, ethical standards, Monitoring and Grievance Mechanisms, significance of Pre- departure
orientation and post-arrival information for intending, aspiring, and potential migrant workers from
Pakistan. The sessions were designed to equip OEPs with practical knowledge and tools to ensure that
the recruitment process is transparent, ethical, and compliant with both national and international
standards. By fostering a thorough understanding of these crucial aspects, the session aimed to
promote fair treatment and protection of migrant workers throughout their migration journey.
Distinguished speakers at the session included, Mr. Sohail Babar, Community Welfare Attaché (CWA),
Embassy of Pakistan in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Farrukh Jamal, Bureau of Emigration and Overseas
Employment (BEOE), Mr. Athar Iqbal Shah, Group President, POEPA and Dr. Umm-e-Laila, Professor
at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST).
Mr. Saad ur Rehman Khan, Project Manager of the MRCs in Pakistan, in his opening remarks,
highlighted that, “investing in the training of OEPs is crucial for creating a more transparent and
responsible migration system that safeguards the rights and well-being of migrant workers. By
equipping OEPs with the necessary skills and knowledge, we can contribute to a more ethical and
sustainable labour migration process.”
Mr. Rana Imran, MRC Coordinator, Islamabad, highlighted that “the vital role of training workshops
in empowering OEPs, ensuring fair recruitment, legal compliance, and migrant welfare. The MRC
provides essential support services, including counseling and orientation, aiming to raise awareness
and advocate for migrant rights, contributing to a transparent and ethical migration process. In this
sense, cooperation with OEPs remains central to the role of MRCs and we wish to continue extending
our support as and when needed.”
Mr. Farrukh Jamal, Director Operations at the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment
(BEOE), highlighted the role of government departments in securing labour worker rights and ensuring
fair and safe working conditions through legislation. He focused on Labour laws, ethical recruitment
practices that protect workers from exploitation, discrimination and unsafe environments, promoting
a more just society. He also stressed the need to continue such dialogues between ICMPD, MRCs,
BEOE, and POEPA in the near future to be able to identify the challenges that OEPs face in relation to
capacity building initiatives, and devise ways to address them collectively.
Mr. Sohail Babar, a Community Welfare Attaché (CWA), Embassy of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, presented
an informative orientation session for Pakistani OEPs and workers venturing to Saudi Arabia. He
provided a comprehensive overview of worker rights under Saudi Arabian labor laws and explained
the various channels available to workers for reporting any infringement of their rights, ensuring they
can navigate potential challenges with confidence.
Mr. Athar Iqbal Shah, group president POEPA, shared his thoughts, stating that through this training
session, MRC and POEPA are not only fostering the professional development of Licensed OEPs, but
also ensuring that job seekers receive optimal support and guidance in their pursuit of opportunities
abroad.
The session concluded with the understanding that MRCs and POEPA will organise another
consultative session in the coming months geared towards specific capacity-related challenges that
PEOPA and OEPs face in light of their work. In addition, MRCs would also aim to coordinate with OEPs
working with POEPA to extend their support in awareness raising for outgoing migrants from Pakistan.
The MRC was established in Islamabad and Lahore in 2016 and recently in Peshawar in 2024. It works
under the auspices of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development
(MOPHRD) at Federal Level and in Peshawar, and with the Labour and Human Resource Department
of the Government of Punjab in Lahore.
This workshop was organised within the framework of the project “Improving Migration Management
and Migrant Protection” (PROTECT), funded by the European Union and implemented by ICMPD.