From begging to work ethic issues, Gulf nations raise concerns over conduct of Pakistanis

Several countries in West Asia, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait, have expressedgrave concerns about the conduct of Pakistani expatriates and the labour force, a recent report has found.

The issue was brought to light by Dr Arshad Mahmood, Secretary of Overseas Pakistanis, during a Senate Standing Committee meeting on Overseas Pakistanis.

Arshad has noted that several Gulf countries have raised reservations about the behaviour of overseas Pakistanis inmatters related to work ethics, attitudes, and criminal activities.

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In the UAE, Pakistanis are involved in 50 per cent of crimes, the report said while citing the communicationby the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Additionally, there have been concerns about "inappropriate" behaviour, such as making videos in front of women in Dubai.

Kuwait has raised specific issues regarding Pakistani nurses who allegedly refuse to perform certain job-related duties, placing the burden on ward boys for regular tasks. These nurses reportedly do not attempt to learn the local language and seek to move to Europe after a short stay in Kuwait.

In Qatar, officials from the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis reported that Pakistani labourers have been found refusing to wear safety helmets during work.

Earlier in September 2023, officials had saidthat Pakistani beggars travel to countries like Iraq and Saudi Arabia under the pretext of 'Ziarat' (pilgrimage) and subsequently engage in begging. Official data statesthat Pakistani nationals account for 90 per cent of beggars arrested in these countries.

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Saudi Arabian authorities have urged Pakistan not to send "beggars and sick people" to the kingdom. Approximately twomillion Pakistanis currently reside in Saudi Arabia, with 400,000 moving there each year.

In Malaysia, Pakistani visitors often extend their stay beyond the permitted period and end up in prisonas a result.

Senator Nasir Abbas informed the forum that in Iraq, Pakistanis hired as cheap labour are often kept in conditions akin to imprisonment.

Pakistani officials are now compiling data on job availability and opportunities in various countries. A cabinet committee, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has been established to address immigration-related issues and improve the future prospects of the Pakistani labour force in GCC countries.