Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Pir Syed Sadaruddin Shah Rashidi said that Pakistan fully supports the initiatives taken by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which will ensure legal and social protection for workers.

“It is encouraging to see that OIC has successfully identified the issues related to Labour, employment and social protection. It has provided a platform to member countries to develop consensus on socio-economic development and decent work opportunities," the minister said during his address at the fourth OIC Labour Minister’s Conference held from February 21-22, 2018 at Jeddah.

According to a press statement received here on Friday, the conference aimed to explore labour market challenges in OIC countries and ways to generate and sustain job opportunities, as well as exchanging information on policies and successful programs.

The event also addressed the implementation of youth employment programs, the activities of the OIC Occupational Safety and Health Network, and the OIC Public Employment Services Network.

Pir Sadaruddin said that Pakistan has developed a legal and institutional framework to protect the rights of workers and to ensure fair and managed emigration of the workforce abroad.

The Federal Minister said that Pakistan is rich in human capital with 61% of its population are made up of youth adding he said that more than 20,000 engineers, 18,000 doctors and over 350,000 technicians are graduating from Pakistani educational institutions.

Rashidi said that Pakistan was manpower-rich country which provided trained manpower to many countries around the world, especially Saudi Arabia and Middle East.

While thanking Saudi Arabia for extending hospitality to Pakistani labour force, Mr. Rashidi underlined the role of expatriate workers in the development of any country. It helps boost the economies of both the host and the expatriate worker’s country, the Minister said.

He appreciated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting this session, which demonstrates the attention given by the Saudi authorities, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, May God protect them ,to promoting all issues likely to elevate Islam and Muslims and defend their legitimate causes, as well as their continued support for the Organization as the host State.

The Federal Minister also held meetings with Labour Minister of Turkey Ms Jiulida Sari Eroglu,Labour Minister of Kuwait Mr Hind al Sabeeh, Labour Minister of UAE Mr Nasir Thani Al Hamli and Labour Minister of Somalia Mr Salah Ahmad Joma on side-lines of the conference. The leaders discussed matters relating to bilateral interest during the meetings.

The conference, which was jointly organized by the Saudi Ministry of Labour and Social Development and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and is being held under the theme “Developing A Common Strategy for Manpower Development.”