ISLAMABAD, Oct 21: As many as 13,247 persons were registered with the regional offices of Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment under the Ministry of Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis, for foreign employment during September last.

During the corresponding month of previous year, 11,474 persons proceeded abroad for employment registering an increase of 15.45 per cent.

As such, it is expected that the export of manpower situation will improve in future and about 150,000 Pakistanis would be able to get employment abroad during the year 2002.

Moreover, the revenue of Rs17,294,850 was generated from the emigrating workers and transferred to national exchequer. Rs13,909,350 was also collected as welfare fund and transferred to Overseas Pakistanis Foundation. Whereas, Rs4,727,551 was distributed as death and disability compensation/claims to 22 affected families.

The intending migrant workers are also advised to get a copy of Foreign Service Agreement duly registered with Protector of Emigrant’s Office along with copies of Power of Attorney and demand letter from their respective Overseas Employment Promoters, in their own interest before their departure.

They may also obtain the receipt of amount paid to the concerned Overseas Employment Promoters, in respect of foreign employment.

Those desirous of foreign employment are also warned to be careful about the illegal agents and sub-agents who deprive the innocent persons of their money on the pretext to provide them employment abroad.

The trend of drug-trafficking, to have been reported, is on the rise. The Middle Eastern countries, in particular, have maintained the death sentence for the drug smugglers. The intending migrant workers are, therefore, advised to refrain themselves from the menace of drug-trafficking while going abroad for employment in their best interest.—APP