The South Asian country’s ambassador to the UAE (not pictured) stated that unskilled Pakistani workers will no longer be recruited, in what has been described as a policy shift. [Getty]
Pakistan’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates has announced the end of unskilled Pakistani workers securing jobs in the oil-rich Gulf nation due to the country’s shift towards hiring highly skilled professionals.
Faisal Niaz Tirmizi told the UAE-based newspaper Gulf News that, given the UAE’s increasing demand for a high-end skilled workforce, Pakistan must urgently train professionals in fields such as accounting, IT, banking, physics, nursing, aviation, and artificial intelligence.
He added that efforts to strengthen Pakistan-UAE relations will focus significantly on job creation and investment opportunities.
“If we train our people in these high-demand sectors, they can step into high-paying roles with salaries ranging from Dh20,000 [£4,391] and above—far exceeding what our current unskilled workers have been earning, which starts from Dh1,000 [£219] and above,” Tirmizi told the UAE outlet.
As the UAE increasingly seeks skilled workers, Tirmizi argued that this shift presents an opportunity to enhance workforce capabilities through higher-paying roles, rather than merely sending workers abroad.
“The partnership is not just about sending our workforce abroad but ensuring that Pakistan’s economic potential is realised on the global stage,” he added.
While acknowledging the contributions of Pakistani blue-collar workers in the UAE and beyond, he highlighted a 53 percent increase in remittances over six months, reaching £3.6 billion, as evidence of Pakistan’s economic potential.
“We need to open up as a tourist destination, promote higher education, and establish Pakistan’s position in the global economy,” the Pakistani diplomat said, further outlining his country’s initiative to create pilot training centres and offer affordable training.
The New Arab has approached the UAE embassy in London for comment but didn’t receive a response at the time of publication.
According to the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), GCC countries were “undergoing deep socioeconomic reforms as they seek to transition from oil-based, rentier economies to diversified, knowledge-based development”.
However, critics argue that such reforms have historically favoured white-collar workers from select regions while marginalising lower-skilled workers from South Asia and Africa.
The institute added that these “changes may widen the rights and inclusion gaps between highly skilled foreign nationals and other migrants,” despite some gradual steps towards easing long-term restrictions on immigration.
“The upgrading and upskilling of the human capital inscribed in Gulf states’ development master plan entails a policy switch from importing large numbers of low-skilled, low-paid workers in labour-intensive activities to attracting smaller numbers of high-skilled foreign workers,” MPI stated.
“This is why attracting and retaining increasing numbers of wealthy and highly skilled foreign nationals is now perceived by policymakers as an opportunity to increase foreign direct investment, research and development, and entrepreneurship.”
The institute further explained that Gulf nations, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—recognised as rising financial centres in the Middle East—are striving to attract top talent by offering competitive salaries and a growing range of job opportunities.
Additionally, they aim to attract multinational companies through lucrative investment prospects.
