Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are preparing a new agreement to make the recruitment of Pakistani domestic workers for Saudi jobs safer, clearer and more organised.
Officials said the proposed deal will improve coordination between the two countries and provide greater protection and support to Pakistani workers.
Saudi Arabia hosts the largest number of Pakistani workers overseas and remains a key source of remittances for Pakistan. Officials therefore consider worker welfare and fair recruitment an important part of the two countries’ relationship.
The move followed meetings between senior Pakistani and Saudi officials during the International Labour Conference in Geneva.
Pakistan’s Minister and Secretary for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development met representatives of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
The officials discussed ways to expand cooperation in labour and human resource deployment. Saudi Arabia also suggested a separate agreement covering the recruitment of Pakistani domestic workers.
The proposed framework would set clearer rules for recruitment, improve cooperation between government agencies and help protect workers from exploitation. It would also promote safe and legal migration between the two countries.