Increased Complaints of Unjustified Offloading of Job Seekers Traveling Abroad
Adnan Paracha, Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Overseas Employment Promoters Association (POEPA), has raised concerns regarding the growing number of complaints about individuals being unjustly offloaded at airports despite holding valid work visas and Protector stamps issued in Pakistan.
Paracha pointed out that over the past two weeks, young professionals seeking employment abroad have encountered significant difficulties. These individuals are sent by Overseas Employment Promoters under formal contracts and contribute immensely to Pakistan’s economy by remitting $33 to $34 billion annually.
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Despite having all necessary legal documents, including Protector stamps and valid work visas, many travelers have been offloaded by airport authorities without any justified reasons. Paracha highlighted that the financial burden on these travelers is substantial, as most of their airline tickets are non-refundable. This situation has also led to complaints from international employers about delays in workforce deployment.
He called on the Prime Minister and the Federal Minister of Interior to intervene immediately and resolve these issues. Paracha stressed that overseas workers are a critical national asset and deserve timely support to ensure their smooth transition abroad.