Pakistan, Saudi Arabia ink agreement for workers' recruitment

December 6, 2021 (MLN): Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark momentous agreement for certification and employment of Pakistani skilled workforce through Takamol and NAVTTC, said a press release issued on Sunday.

The Agreement was signed by Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, Shafqat Mahmood from the Pakistan side, and Dr. Ahmad Jabbar Al Yamni, from Saudia Arabia Takamol side.

The press statement mentioned that the important cooperation between both countries has a far-reaching impact for enhancing the employment opportunities for the skilled Pakistani workforce by joint certification and testing by Takamol Saudi Arabi and NAVTTC National Vocational and Technical Training Commission Pakistan.

This will also safeguard the existing Pakistani workforce in Saudi Arabia. In order to facilitate the Pakistani expatriate workforce, NAVTTC under the leadership of Shafqat Mahmood, Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, Chairman NAVTTC Syed Javed Hassan, and Executive Director NAVTTC Sajid Baloch worked hard to achieve this hallmark far-reaching Agreement between NAVTTC and Takamol, the statement added.

It is expected that millions of Pakistani skilled workers will get gainful employment opportunities with higher earning as a result of the efforts of the Government of Pakistan.

Under this partnership, NAVTTC, National Vocational, and Technical Training Commission Pakistan and Takamol, a subsidiary of the Government of Saudi Arabia is establishing the testing regime under the Skills Verification Program, by exchanging the National Occupational Standards (NOS) and facilitating skill verification of candidates through competency-based assessment- theory & practical at exam Centers in Pakistan for candidates desirous of working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This will enable the Pakistani skill workforce to have authentic and internationally recognized joint certification by both Takamol Saudi Arabia and NAVTTC Pakistan, through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment, it added.

The statement highlighted that the Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has introduced Skill Verification Program (SVP) implemented from July 2021 in order to regulate its labor market. After the implementation of SVP in KSA, skill verification has become necessary for the Pakistani skilled workers, who intend to have employment in Saudi Arabia.

It is important to note that the largest number of Pakistani expatriate workforce is based in Saudi Arabia, which contributes substantially to Pakistan's economy through foreign remittances. Most of the present Pakistani workforce in KSA fall in the category of un-skilled or semi-skilled labor, which means reduced remunerations and it also impacts remittances negatively, it said.

Moreover, in the changing scenario of labour laws and dynamics of the labour market overseas, a large number of Pakistani skilled workforce require skills certification as presently they face non-recognition of their qualifications, skills, and certification. This cooperation will help a large number of these workers, also leading to national productivity and development.

The Agreement signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Human Resources & Social Development, Saudi Arabia and it was witnessed by senior officials of both countries.

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