Pakistanis Stranded in Europe as Belarus Job Ploy Falters
Thousands Caught in Migration Crisis After Unfulfilled Job Promises
Thousands of Pakistani citizens seeking overseas work are facing hardship and exploitation in Eastern Europe, with Belarus emerging as a deceptive gateway. A bilateral agreement promising 150,000 jobs has yielded no concrete opportunities, leaving migrants vulnerable and resorting to dangerous illegal crossings.
Unmet Promises Ignite Crisis
Following Prime Minister **Shehbaz Sharif’s** April visit to Belarus, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed to facilitate employment for 150,000 skilled Pakistani workers in sectors like IT, healthcare, and engineering. However, over two months later, the initiative remains entirely on paper, with no framework or licensed recruiters in place.
Officials from the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment (BE&OE) confirmed the lack of development. “There are no official channels or guidelines for sending workers to Belarus,” stated a senior BE&OE officer who wished to remain anonymous. “Nothing has materialized since the agreement was signed,”
they added, highlighting the absence of any structured migration pathway.
Belarus: A Deceptive Entry Point
Belarus, known for its lenient visa policies for Pakistanis, has become a transit point for those seeking to enter Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia illegally, often with the ultimate goal of reaching Germany. Upon arrival, migrants encounter significant economic challenges, including inflation and language barriers, with few actual job offers.
The promised minimum wage of $1,100 appears to be a misrepresentation in a country where average monthly salaries hover between $670 and $700. This stark reality, coupled with a lack of government-verified recruiters, leaves many workers feeling deceived and trapped.
Urgent Calls for Government Action
Migration experts and policy analysts are urging the government to intervene swiftly. Recommendations include public awareness campaigns on the dangers of irregular migration, engagement with EU authorities for the humane treatment of detained migrants, and stricter enforcement against unlicensed recruitment agents. According to the International Organization for Migration, over 1,300 people attempted to cross the Polish border from Belarus in 2023 alone, underscoring the scale of the issue (IOM, 2024).
Humanitarian Concerns Mount
There is also a growing demand for Pakistan’s diplomatic missions abroad to provide essential support, including temporary shelter, legal aid, and repatriation services. Without immediate diplomatic and domestic action, thousands more are at risk of becoming ensnared in this escalating humanitarian crisis, caught between unfulfilled promises at home and increasingly stringent borders abroad.