Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari. File

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

Around 55,000 Pakistani expatriates have lost their jobs including 36,000 in the UAE during the last couple of months especially after the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) while a number of new opportunities are also coming out for the skilled labourers in the country.

This was stated by Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari — Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis & HRD in a press conference held at the Consulate premises on Thursday. The briefing to the media was also attended by Ghulam Dastaghir, Pakistan Ambassador in the UAE, Ahmad Amjad Ali, Consul General of Pakistan, Dubai and other officials.

Earlier, Bukhari also had a meeting with Nasser Bin Thani Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, UAE and discussed the bilateral issues.

He also congratulated the UAE Rulers on the successful launch of the first Arab Hope Probe Mars mission.

“Many Pakistanis lost their jobs in the UAE but there are many new opportunities arising for skilled labour as around 30 per cent increase has been witnessed in the skilled labour induction in the UAE. We are also negotiating with local authorities to bring back our Pakistanis in the UAE on their previous jobs once the situation became normal,” he said.

“Recently we have signed an agreement with a German firm to get 3 million Euros as funds as it will be used for the reintegration of all employees through their skill building and incorporate in the international markets. There are around 55,000 Pakistanis who lost their jobs around the world and returned to the country through special expatriation operations. We will extend full support to these people on behalf of the government,” he said.

Bukhari also pointed out that the government during the pandemic has launched a mobile application for expatriates to register for job integration in the local market. “So far over 50,000 people have registered to get a job in local sectors like housing or private sectors where soon a number of projects are being launched. Beside this, we have over 100,000 citizens ready to be integrated in the international markets once the situation becomes normal after the COVID-19,” he added.

He also acknowledged the hardship of stranded Pakistanis in the UAE especially during the pandemic which started in March. Over 60,000 registered with the consulate for repatriation. “I want to assure everyone that the repatriation operation is not over as both the Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the consulate in Dubai have to carry out more work in this regard,” he added.