UAE halts work visas for unskilled Pakistani workers

UAE Ends Work Visas for Unskilled Workers, Prioritizes Skilled Pakistani Professionals

UAE ends work visas for unskilled workers, eyes skilled Pakistani workforce
The working conditions of Pakistani workers in the UAE are changing dramatically. Pakistan’s ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, has said that the days of unskilled Pakistani workers going to work in the UAE are coming to an end. Highly trained workers are becoming more and more in demand across a range of industries as the Gulf nation’s economy and labour needs progress.

According to Ambassador Tirmizi, the UAE is prioritizing skilled workers in fields such as accounting, information technology, banking, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and aviation. This change emphasises how important it is for Pakistan to make investments in workforce development so that its people are prepared to compete in the changing labour market.

The envoy stressed that Pakistanis have a significant potential as a result of this shift. “Our people can land high-paying jobs with salaries starting at Dh20,000 and above if we train them in these high-demand sectors,” he said, “far surpassing the wages of unskilled workers, who typically earn Dh1,000 and above.”

Pakistan’s Vision for Workforce Development
Tirmizi highlighted that Pakistan must shift its focus from exporting low-wage workers to producing professionals who can fill lucrative positions in the UAE and other global markets. He emphasised that this change will improve Pakistani workers’ financial security while also bolstering the nation’s economy by boosting remittances.

He drew attention to the rising need in the UAE and elsewhere for medical experts, especially nurses and physiotherapists. “To meet international healthcare standards, Pakistan needs world-class nursing institutions,” he stated, adding that plans are on to set up prototype training schools domestically. These programs seek to provide Pakistanis with affordable flight training and employment opportunities.

Strengthening economic ties between the UAE and Pakistan
The ambassador emphasized the long-standing relationship between Pakistan and the UAE, which goes beyond human exports, including economic cooperation, investment opportunities and job creation. He emphasized that the purpose of this cooperation is not only to send people abroad, but also to protect Pakistan’s economic position globally.

The considerable increase in remittances is a key sign of this economic collaboration. Remittances from Pakistani employees in the UAE have increased by 53% in just six months, totalling $4.5 billion. Tirmizi said he was confident that by the conclusion of the fiscal year, this amount may exceed $9 billion. He gave credit for this accomplishment to both skilled and unskilled Pakistani labourers, including blue-collar workers like security guards and crane operators.

Pakistan’s Long-Term Objectives: International Integration, Education, and Tourism
Tirmizi presented a more comprehensive outlook for Pakistan’s economic development. He emphasised how crucial it is to prepare the nation for tourism, support higher education, and
Pakistan as a key player in the global economy. Pakistan can support its domestic workforce and draw in foreign partnerships and investments by growing these sectors.

The UAE’s change in labour laws represents a sea change in the way Pakistanis can find work overseas. The need for qualified workers will only grow as the nation transitions to a knowledge-based economy. This offers Pakistan the chance to make investments in innovation, education, and training to keep its workers competitive in a global labour market that is always changing.