Salik’s Abu Dhabi Dialogue meetings cover migrant welfare, vocational training
Minister of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Chaudhry Salik Hussain. PHOTO: APP
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan on Sunday stepped up labor diplomacy by engaging Bangladesh and the Philippines on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue, exchanging views on shared challenges faced by foreign workers and exploring cooperation on skills development, training systems and welfare frameworks for migrants.
Pakistan’s Minister for Overseas and Human Resource Development, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, met with Bangladesh’s Advisor for Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment, Dr. Asif Nazrul, where both sides discussed workforce mobility, recruitment practices and strategies to better prepare expatriate workforce for international markets.
The Pakistani delegation briefed the meeting on the initiatives of the National Technical and Vocational Training Commission (NAVTTC), while Bangladesh shared insights on the functioning of its Technical Training Centers (TTCs), with both sides expressing interest in a structured collaboration in human resource development.
Opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation in education, health, tourism and trade were also discussed, while the President of the Employees’ Old Age Benefit Institution (EOBI) outlined Pakistan’s social protection mechanisms for workers, including institutional mandates and coverage targets.
In a separate engagement, Hussain held talks with Philippine Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, focusing on social security systems, pension models and legal frameworks governing the protection of migrant workers.
The EOBI Chairman briefed the Philippine delegation on Pakistan’s eligibility criteria, benefit structures and financial model, while Manila shared details of its pension system and comprehensive pre-departure training programs for foreign workers.
