ADJUSTMENT ISSUES OF PAKISTANI LABOR MIGRANTS RECRUITED THROUGH BROKERS FOR MIDDLE EAST: A SOCIO-LEGAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Labor migration from Pakistan to Middle East in search of employment has been a historical phenomenon. Migration is a source of income generation and earning remittances, and it contributes to the socioeconomic well-being of left-behind families. The brokerage agencies are constantly recruiting labor and in recent years labor migration to Middle East through brokers has been significantly increased from Pakistan. The brokerage agencies act as facilitator and play an active role in influencing labor decisions to migrate. The issue of labor migration require attention from research scholars on the basis of a broad range of problems to migrants at destinations i.e. finding a suitable job, remuneration issues, accommodation problems, terms and duration of their agreement
with broker as well as cultural, language and other social adjustment issues. This study investigate recent trends in labor migration to Middle East recruited through brokers and also highlights the adjustment issues faced by these migrants for Middle East. The study was conducted in three districts of Malakand Division i.e. District Dir Lower, District Dir Upper and District Buner of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, while applying qualitative approach. Primary data was collected from fifteen (15) respondents (labor migrants recruited through brokers). Data was collected through in-depth interview, using interview guide, and the sample was selected through purposive sampling technique. The collected information was analyzed qualitatively and a thematic discussion has been
developed to clarify the issue under study and to derive study findings and conclusion. The research concluded that labor migration through brokers is a critical issue and these migrants have several adjustment issues such as finding a decent employment, breach of job contract, wage issues, forced and unsafe labor environment, premature repatriation, migrant’s health issues and their exploitation
through agents and sub-agents. The study suggests that accountability of recruiting agencies, formulation of policies for migrants’ rights protection, arrangement of trainings program for migrants, coordination of different stakeholders in understanding and highlighting the issue are required.