Pakistan, Saudi Arabia Set to Finalise Key Domestic Workers Recruitment Deal
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have completed work on a special bilateral agreement aimed at facilitating the employment of Pakistani domestic workers in the Kingdom while ensuring a transparent recruitment process and stronger protection of workers’ rights.
According to government sources, the development follows meetings between senior officials from the two countries on the sidelines of the International Labour Conference in Geneva.
Pakistan’s Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development and the ministry’s secretary held discussions with senior officials of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. During the meetings, Saudi officials proposed a separate agreement specifically covering domestic workers.
The proposed agreement builds on the 2021 general agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia concerning the recruitment of workers. However, unlike the earlier framework, the new agreement will focus exclusively on domestic workers, including their employment conditions, legal rights, protection and welfare.
The agreement aims to curb illegal recruitment channels, promote safe and lawful migration and strengthen coordination between relevant institutions in both countries.
The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development has forwarded the matter to the federal cabinet for formal approval under the relevant provisions of the Rules of Business, 1973.
Government sources said that after receiving approval from the federal cabinet, the agreement is expected to be formally signed during an anticipated visit by a high-level Saudi delegation to Pakistan.
Saudi Arabia remains one of the largest destinations for Pakistani workers and a major source of remittances for Pakistan. Pakistani workers in the Kingdom send significant amounts of foreign exchange home every year, supporting millions of families and contributing to the national economy.
The new framework is expected to make recruitment more organised while providing Pakistani domestic workers with stronger legal and social protections during their employment in Saudi Arabia.
