Say no to illegal migration: here are the legal and safe ways to migrate overseas!

WEB DESK: In light of the recent boat tragedy in Greece in which 75 Pakistani lost their lives, a lawyer from Sukkur filed a complaint against the Pakistan’s government for negligence in the Sessions Court. The lawyer argued that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that such illegal migration does not happen, making the Greek incident a direct consequence of their failure.

The case is under progress, and as a result of the investigation into the matter, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has dismissed 35 officials concerned with immigration so far. Additional Session Judge has also summoned the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and the Interior Minister in this regard on January 15, there is still need to discuss why such migrations happen in the first place?

HUM News’s morning show Subh Se Aagay delved deeper into this question and spoke on legal and safe pathways for migrating overseas for employment opportunities.

Bureau of Immigration and Overseas Employment Director General Muhammad Tayyab appeared on the show and said that this is not the first time such an incident has happened. “A similar incident had happened last year as well and the government has been making efforts to close down such illegal channels of migration,” he said.

Tayyab informed that the overseas employment bureau is a central department that regulates safe, orderly and legal migration. All those who wish to travel out of the country have to go through this institution, and those who wish to work in this line also have to obtain a license from them. The licensed operators are called OEPs – Overseas Employment Promoters – and only those who have the license can legally send people abroad. Tayyab said, “All those without a license are illegal ‘agents’. When the licensed people issue an advertisement for such opportunities, they are mandated to publish the license number and the permission number on their advertisements.” He also said that the licensees cannot sublet the services either.

Those who wish to travel only for work, irrespective of if they are skilled, unskilled, or even doctorate holders have to go through this proper channel. Tayyab said, “Last year, we sent 860,000 people through legal channels for employment in 168 countries in 66 trades – including doctors, nurses, technicians, IT experts, drivers, and also labourers. We have a complete record of job opportunities on our website.”

To diffuse the evil of illegal migration that costs hundreds of lives every year, awareness is extremely important, said Tayyab. “We have a campaign in progress to inform people who wish to go abroad. First of all, ask the license number to the person offering to send someone for jobs outside the country. If they fail to provide the license and permission numbers, file a complaint with us, and with the FIA. It will take a united effort to defeat this menace of illegal agents. Those who are not well-versed or literate can visit our employment offices and seek help from out officers,” he added.

Tayyab said that there are unlimited jobs available overseas. “We have data through our community welfare attaches, and primarily there are IT jobs. Many of them do not even need elaborate education, rather merely certifications are needed,” he added.

Many government departments are working together for these efforts under Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and even private sector is included in these coordinated efforts, he told HUM News. “Data is also being collected on job opportunities. There is no as such limit of age either. Training programs are accessible to all ages and levels of education, so even that is not a problem,” he said.