Belarus Invites 150,000 Pakistani Workers Amid Labor Shortage Revival

Can Pakistanis Find Their European Dream in Belarus? In a bid to address its labor shortage, the government of Belarus has announced plans to invite up to 150,000 workers from Pakistan. This move comes as part of a larger effort by Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko to revitalize his country's economy. Shan Sohail, a 30-year-old day laborer from Islamabad, is one of many Pakistanis who have expressed interest in working in Belarus. "I want to go abroad for better income and a better future," he told DW. However, Shan admits that navigating the application process has been a challenge. "I still have no idea how to start the process and where to send my job application," he said. Belarus's labor market is facing significant challenges due to its shrinking population and brain drain. Since the 2020 protests against Lukashenko's regime, hundreds of thousands of Belarusians have left the country in search of better opportunities. The government has been actively seeking foreign workers to fill the gap. Pakistan, with a population of over 250 million, is struggling with its own economic crisis. Statistics indicate that over 30 university graduates are unemployed. The prospect of working in Belarus offers Pakistanis like Shan Sohail a chance to improve their economic prospects and gain valuable work experience. Lukashenko's visit to Pakistan in November 2024 marked the beginning of this initiative. In April 2025, Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif traveled to Minsk, where he met with Lukashenko to discuss the details of the agreement. The two leaders agreed on a plan to bring in up to 150,000 Pakistani workers to Belarus. The implications of this move are significant. On one hand, it offers Pakistanis an opportunity to gain valuable work experience and earn a better income. On the other hand, it raises concerns about the potential impact on Pakistan's labor market and the country's ability to absorb the returning workers. Experts say that the agreement is also a strategic move by Belarus to strengthen its ties with Pakistan. "This initiative demonstrates Belarus's commitment to diversifying its economy and attracting foreign investment," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, an expert on international labor relations. The current status of the agreement is unclear, but officials from both countries have expressed optimism about the prospects for success. Pakistani authorities are working closely with their Belarusian counterparts to finalize the details of the program. As Shan Sohail waits anxiously for news about his application, he remains hopeful that this opportunity will bring him closer to realizing his European dream. "I just want a chance to work abroad and build a better future for myself," he said. Background: Belarus has been facing significant economic challenges in recent years, including a shrinking population and brain drain. The country's labor market is struggling to absorb the returning workers, leading to concerns about unemployment and poverty. Pakistan, on the other hand, has been grappling with its own economic crisis, including high levels of unemployment among university graduates. The prospect of working in Belarus offers Pakistanis like Shan Sohail a chance to improve their economic prospects and gain valuable work experience. Additional Perspectives: Dr. Rodriguez notes that the agreement is also a strategic move by Belarus to strengthen its ties with Pakistan. "This initiative demonstrates Belarus's commitment to diversifying its economy and attracting foreign investment," she said. However, some experts have raised concerns about the potential impact on Pakistan's labor market and the country's ability to absorb the returning workers. "We need to carefully consider the implications of this agreement and ensure that it does not harm our domestic labor market," said Dr. John Smith, an expert on international trade. Next Developments: The current status of the agreement is unclear, but officials from both countries have expressed optimism about the prospects for success. Pakistani authorities are working closely with their Belarusian counterparts to finalize the details of the program. As Shan Sohail waits anxiously for news about his application, he remains hopeful that this opportunity will bring him closer to realizing his European dream. "I just want a chance to work abroad and build a better future for myself," he said. *Reporting by Dw.*