HEC’s new portal to ease employment challenges for overseas Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD: In a session held on Thursday, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) apprised a sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development about its ongoing efforts to introduce a portal for worldwide certificate verification.

Chaired by Senator Rukhsana Zuberi, the sub-committee focused on addressing various challenges encountered by individuals seeking employment abroad, particularly in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

During the meeting, officials from the Pakistan Institute of Management urged the panel to direct the HEC to issue certifications to labourers working overseas, aiming to alleviate potential issues.

The convener recommended the inclusion of language skills, digital literacy, and knowledge of local laws in the curriculum for overseas employees.

Delving into the details of training and certifications for overseas employees, the committee underscored the importance of international recognition and adherence to global standards.

In response to the concerns raised by 650,000 employees returning from abroad, ministry officials expressed their commitment to prioritising their needs and enhancing their skill sets.

Senator Shaheen Khalid Butt sought information from the institutes regarding data for policy-making on short and long courses.

The officials from the Pakistan Industrial Technical Assistance Centre (PITAC) presented findings through case studies, revealing that 34 percent of overseas employees were unemployed.

They also highlighted the challenges in reaching out to overseas students beyond GCC countries.

A unanimous decision was made by ministry officials to conduct thorough research to determine the accurate turnover of overseas employees.

The discussion on the verification of overseas employees brought to light challenges, particularly in the verification of certificates. The committee convener proposed the amalgamation of different databases to facilitate easy retrieval of employee data.

In conclusion, Senator Rukhsana Zuberi emphasised the significance of the Dublin Accord and the Sydney Accord, underscoring the adverse impact of inactivity in this regard on many individuals.

The committee expressed a collective commitment to addressing these challenges and ensuring the smooth verification and recognition of certificates for overseas employees.

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