Agreement to contribute to welfare and protection of workers and promote safe migration of Pakistani workers to Saudi Arabia
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Islamabad: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are set to deepen their partnership through a proposed agreement aimed at regulating and strengthening the recruitment of Pakistani domestic workers for labour and employment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Officials close to the development said that the proposed agreement reflects the enduring relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, particularly in the field of labour mobility.
Saudi Arabia remains the largest destination for Pakistani labourers abroad and a major source of remittances to Pakistan, making cooperation on the protection, recruitment and welfare of Pakistani workers an important pillar of bilateral relations.
Officials said that the initiative gained momentum following high-level engagements between the two countries during the International Labour Conference in Geneva.
Pakistan’s Minister and Secretary for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development held meetings with senior officials of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD).
The discussions explored ways to further strengthen cooperation in human resource deployment, with the Saudi side proposing a dedicated agreement specifically covering the recruitment of domestic workers.
The proposed framework seeks to provide a more structured and transparent mechanism for the recruitment of Pakistani domestic workers, while strengthening cooperation between the relevant authorities of both countries. It is also expected to contribute to the welfare and protection of workers and promote safe, orderly and regular migration.
The agreement builds upon the broader framework established by the General Agreement on the Recruitment of Workers signed between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in 2021. While the earlier agreement provides a general framework for worker recruitment, the new proposed agreement focuses specifically on domestic workers and addresses the particular requirements of this important category of employment.
Officials said that the proposed agreement comes at a time when Pakistan and Saudi Arabia continue to expand their cooperation across economic, diplomatic and people-to-people relations.
It is pertinent to note that millions of Pakistanis have contributed to the development of Saudi Arabia over the decades, while their remittances have played a significant role in supporting Pakistan’s economy and strengthening family livelihoods.
By establishing a dedicated framework for domestic-worker recruitment, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are seeking to further institutionalise this important aspect of their labour relationship. The agreement is therefore not only an employment arrangement but also a reflection of the two countries’ commitment to strengthening the welfare, dignity and rights of Pakistani workers in the Kingdom.
Officials said that the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development asked the Federal Cabinet to allow the signing of the agreement under the relevant provisions of the Rules of Business, 1973. The agreement is expected to be signed at an appropriate opportunity during the forthcoming high-level Saudi visit to Pakistan.
DATE . 26/Aug/2026