15/10/2026
Stakeholders Call for Fair Recruitment, Stronger C181 Implementation and a One-Window Facilitation Centre for Overseas Employment
Lahore, October 15, 2026 — Key stakeholders from the overseas employment promotion sector, labour administration, migration support organisations and civil society participated in a roundtable discussion titled “Fair Recruitment, C181, and Diversified Migration Pathways,” organised under the International Labour Organization (ILO)-supported initiative.
The session focused on promoting ethical recruitment, improving coordination among relevant institutions, protecting migrant workers’ rights and developing safer, transparent and accessible migration pathways for Pakistani workers.
The roundtable provided a valuable platform for Overseas Employment Promoters (OEPs), labour representatives, migration counsellors and other stakeholders to discuss practical challenges in the recruitment and emigration process and propose measures to ensure fair recruitment practices in line with international labour standards, particularly ILO Convention No. 181 (C181), concerning private employment agencies.
During the discussion, Atiq ur Rehman CEO Bait ul Mamoor Overseas Recruitment Agency shared detailed recommendations for improving Pakistan’s overseas employment and emigration facilitation system.
He emphasised that fair recruitment requires effective coordination between regulators, government departments, registered private employment agencies and employers abroad. He proposed establishing a dedicated One-Window Facilitation Centre for Overseas Employment Promoters and intending emigrants, with coordinated participation from the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BEOE), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Ministry of Interior.
Atiq ur Rehman highlighted that such a centre could help address procedural delays, reduce unnecessary inconvenience, improve access to authentic information and clarify documentation requirements for both OEPs and prospective emigrants.
He further recommended that the proposed mechanism should:
- Provide clear, reliable and easily accessible information about legal overseas employment procedures.
- Improve coordination between relevant government departments and registered OEPs.
- Establish transparent, standardised guidance on documentation, verification and emigration clearance.
- Reduce avoidable delays, repeated visits and confusion for intending emigrants.
- Promote fair recruitment, ethical employment practices and protection against fraudulent recruitment.
- Facilitate employers and registered recruitment agencies in meeting legitimate manpower requirements through lawful channels.
- Ensure that employers, regulators and private employment agencies share responsibility for implementing fair recruitment principles.
He stressed that a transparent, coordinated and worker-centred system would benefit the government, registered OEPs, foreign employers and Pakistani workers alike. He also underlined the importance of ensuring that recruitment-related policies are implemented fairly and consistently, without creating unnecessary barriers for legitimate overseas employment.
The roundtable brought together representatives and professionals from different areas of labour migration and overseas employment.
Zahid Mehmood, founding member of the Migrant Resource Centre (MRC), and a representative of Punjab’s labour administration, contributed to the discussion on fair recruitment and institutional coordination.
Munaza Ishaq, representing migration workers’ interests, highlighted issues affecting migrant workers and the importance of accessible guidance throughout the migration process.
Tasmia Farooq, Awareness Programme representative associated with MWC and the Labour Research and Development Institute (LRDI), contributed to discussions concerning awareness, fair recruitment and migrant worker protection.
Mukhtiar Awan, Joint Secretary of the Pakistan United Workers Federation (PUWF), participated in the exchange on workers’ rights and the need to strengthen protection mechanisms.
Maaz Malik, MRC Counsellor, contributed perspectives on migrant counselling, access to reliable information and support for workers considering overseas employment.
Other key participants included Jamil Khan from Peshawar; Ghulam Murtaza, Coordinator, PUWF; Amina Razzaq from Faisalabad; and Samina Sarwar from Quetta, representing PUWF.
Additional contributions were made by Muhammad Rasheed Sahib of Father and Son; Maha Gul, API Placement and CEC Member of POEPA; and Shahid Latif Sandhu Sahib, former Senior Vice Chairman (Ex-SVC). Their participation added valuable perspectives from recruitment, industry representation and the broader overseas employment sector.
Other participants included Faisal Khan Bin Faisal Overseas and Nasir Adam Joya of Raza International, alongside representatives and stakeholders engaged in migration and overseas employment.
An important outcome of the discussion was the interest expressed by Saad Chaudhary, Secretary General of PUWF, in exploring a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on matters of mutual interest.
The proposed cooperation could provide a basis for constructive engagement between stakeholders representing workers and the overseas employment promotion sector, with the objective of facilitating OEPs and intending emigrants through safe, legal and transparent migration channels.
Such collaboration could also support awareness initiatives, improve access to verified information, encourage ethical recruitment and strengthen communication between recruitment professionals and workers. The proposed MoU remains a matter for further consultation and agreement between the relevant parties.
A central theme of the roundtable was the importance of translating fair recruitment principles into practical measures. Participants discussed the relevance of ILO Convention No. 181, the challenges faced by recruitment agencies and workers, and opportunities to diversify safe and regular migration pathways.
The discussion highlighted that effective implementation requires cooperation among governments, employers, private employment agencies, workers’ organisations and other stakeholders. Fair recruitment should be supported by clear procedures, accurate information, responsible recruitment practices and effective protection of migrant workers.
Participants also emphasised that registered private employment agencies and overseas employers should operate transparently and comply with applicable laws and relevant international labour standards. Stronger coordination between regulators and industry representatives can help ensure that legitimate recruitment is facilitated while irregular practices and exploitation are addressed.
The roundtable was a productive opportunity for participants to exchange experiences, identify practical challenges and develop recommendations for a more efficient and equitable overseas employment system.
The proposal for a One-Window Facilitation Centre, together with the interest in exploring an MoU between relevant stakeholders, reflected a shared interest in improving access to information, strengthening institutional cooperation and facilitating lawful overseas employment.
Atiq ur Rehman expressed hope that the recommendations emerging from the discussion would receive further consideration from relevant authorities, employers, regulators and private employment agencies. He reiterated that the principles of fair recruitment should be followed not only by recruitment agencies but also by employers and regulatory institutions, with accountability and cooperation across the entire migration process.
He thanked the organisers and fellow participants for their valuable contributions and expressed confidence that continued dialogue could help build a more transparent, worker-friendly and efficient overseas employment framework for Pakistan.
Atiq ur Rehman
Chairman,
Bait ul Mamoor Overseas Recruitment Agency
Conveners. Recruiter Magazine - POEPA
Member, POEPA
Secretary General, All Pakistan Lion Group POEPA (Lahore Zone)
