The Ultimate Guide to Hiring in Pakistan

Expanding your business in Pakistan? Here are some pointers to keep in mind before hiring your workforce in order to avoid any pitfalls and violations along the way.

Currently, the Pakistani Government is restricting entry and transit to Israeli nationals, even if it is just for travel. Afghan nationals are also refused entry if their passports and tickets show proof of boarding or transit in India. Pakistan is a bustling territory where a lot of the world’s production takes place. It is a common target for companies and businessmen to consider setting up shop in Pakistan, and in the process, hiring people locally is truly a must.

Can You Hire Foreigners?

When expanding business in Pakistan, you should be aware of the proper procedures to be followed and avoid any illegal activities. The government has been aware that some companies tend to hire illegal foreign workers, masking the process by teaching them the local language.?Make sure that all your employees secure the required work permits, residence permits, and visas. The government fines foreigners who hire people illegally.

According to Pakistani laws, a foreigner is defined as someone who doesn’t have Pakistani nationality. This law mentions that foreigners working in the country are individuals who engage in labor in exchange for compensation, and have not secured the status of a permanent resident in the country. Before hiring a person, familiarize yourself with the requirements that an individual must meet to work in Pakistan.

Anyone who stays in Pakistan for more than 30 days has to report to the Foreigners Registration Office closest to them. Travelers are currently warned against trips to Pakistan unless the reason is urgent and important. All trips to the North-West Frontier Province, Northern Areas, and Baluchistan are currently ill-advised.

Certificates Required

You are required to bring a certificate for yellow fever vaccination. All people entering the country are required to bring this if you come from any part of a country where yellow fever is a known endemic for the past 6 days. Infants younger than 6 months are exempted from this if the mother has a vaccination certification that says she has been vaccinated before giving birth. Areas and countries from an endemic zone are considered infected.

It is appreciated and advised to be vaccinated against typhoid before entering.

As of 1973, WHO has declared that cholera vaccination is no longer required before entering Pakistan. However, be wary of this serious risk. We recommend taking precautions against cholera. Besides vaccination, asking your doctor about hygienic practices to follow can also help you stay protected.

The risk for Malaria exists all year long, especially in places that are below 6560 feet (2000 meters). The falciparum strain is malignant and present in such areas. It has been reported as resistant to chlorine.

To be on the safe side, you should think of all water to be potentially contaminated. All water that you have to use for drinking, making ice, or brushing your teeth should be boiled beforehand or sterilised. The same applies to milk - which is non-pasteurised and must be boiled. If possible, go for tinned or powdered milk instead, but make sure that you only mix it with sterile, pure water. You should avoid any dairy products that may have come from non-pasteurised milk.

Only eat fish and meat that have been well-cooked. When eating, you should choose dishes that are served hot. There is some risk with salad and mayonnaise-based dressings. When eating vegetables, have them cooked. Only eat peeled fruit.

Other risks include Hepatitis A and E. Hepatitis B is endemic. Typhoid and trachoma fever are common. Japanese encephalitis is a big risk from June to January, especially in rural places. Dengue fever can also occur.

Connecting with the Locals

The Labor Law also requires all employment-related records and contracts to be documented in Urdu. If a document is translated to the local language from a foreign language, the translated version can be attached to the original draft to fulfill this requirement. In the case where the document is registered in a dual-language format, a dispute is likely to arise. As such, the final form that will prevail will be the translated version. Don’t worry, though, because English is widely used by most people.